Ruto Under Fire Over ‘Rebranding’ of Kiharu TVC Project as Nyoro Snub Fuels Political Tensions
NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has come under mounting criticism after being accused of relaunching a technical college project in Murang’a County that had already been officially opened by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, in a move critics say reflects deepening political rifts within the ruling ranks.
During a development tour of Murang’a on Friday, April 24, the Head of State visited the Kiharu Technical and Vocational College (TVC), where he commissioned a new ICT hub and presided over the groundbreaking for student hostels.
Framing the visit as part of his administration’s broader push to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Ruto highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding access to skills-based education.
“We are investing heavily in TVETs to equip our young people with practical skills that match the needs of our economy,” the President said during the event.
However, the visit has since sparked controversy after it emerged that the institution had already been officially launched just weeks earlier by area MP Ndindi Nyoro following the completion of a tuition block funded through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
At the March 2026 ceremony, Nyoro unveiled a plaque bearing his name in recognition of his role in spearheading the project and marking the college’s operational launch.
Tensions escalated further after videos circulating widely on social media appeared to show the plaque covered with tape during the President’s visit — a move that observers interpreted as an attempt to obscure Nyoro’s involvement.
In the footage, members of the public are later seen removing the covering, revealing the MP’s name beneath, a moment that has since fueled accusations that the national government was seeking to claim credit for a locally initiated project.
Neither State House nor Nyoro’s office has issued an official statement addressing the incident.
The controversy has also been amplified by Nyoro’s conspicuous absence during the President’s visit — an unusual development given protocol expectations for local leaders to accompany visiting heads of state.
Political analysts say the episode underscores a growing fallout between the two leaders, once considered close allies.
Their relationship has reportedly deteriorated since the 2024 Finance Bill protests, which saw Nyoro lose his influential position as Chair of the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Since then, the Kiharu MP has emerged as an increasingly vocal critic of the President’s economic policies, accusing the administration of prioritising political interests over the welfare of ordinary Kenyans.
“Leadership must be about the people, not personal legacy projects,” Nyoro said in a recent address, in remarks widely interpreted as directed at the President.
The rift marks a significant shift from earlier years, when Ruto publicly described Nyoro as one of the young leaders he was mentoring and a potential future successor.
In the wake of their fallout, Nyoro has continued to roll out development projects across Kiharu constituency, though several of his initiatives have reportedly been shunned by national government officials.
As the political standoff plays out, the Kiharu TVC episode now risks becoming a symbol of the broader contest for credit, influence, and control within Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
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