A political storm has erupted in Parliament after Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was suspended for five sitting days for refusing to withdraw claims that government institutions were pressured into investing in the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula suspended Nyoro after the lawmaker declined to apologise for remarks alleging that President William Ruto made phone calls to the heads of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS), Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re) and other institutions to influence their investment in KPC shares.
Nyoro argued that pension funds and other public investments should not be directed through political phone calls, insisting that such decisions must be based on the law and commercial considerations.
The Kiharu MP was challenged to substantiate his allegations and withdraw the remarks, but he refused, telling the Speaker that what he had stated was the truth and that he could not apologise for it. He later requested two weeks to provide evidence, but Wetang’ula rejected the request, saying the remarks had already been expunged from the Hansard.
Wetang’ula subsequently ruled that Nyoro’s refusal to comply amounted to grossly disorderly conduct and imposed the five-sitting-day suspension under Parliament’s Standing Orders.
Nyoro has maintained that he was raising concerns over the management of public and workers’ funds, arguing that the institutions should make investment decisions independently rather than following political directives.
The suspension has now intensified scrutiny over the KPC share sale and Nyoro’s allegations of political interference in the investment decisions of public institutions.
