Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has finally addressed the growing public outcry over his absence during the crucial Finance Bill 2026/27 debate and voting session in Parliament.
The legislator, who has been one of the most vocal critics of government economic policies in recent months, found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after failing to show up for one of the most closely watched legislative sessions in the National Assembly.
The vote took place on Thursday, but what raised even more eyebrows was the shockingly low turnout among lawmakers. Out of the 349 elected and nominated Members of Parliament, only 162 cast their votes. This means just 46.4 percent of lawmakers participated in the exercise, while a staggering 182 members were either absent or simply did not vote.
Nyoro's absence was particularly notable given his recent track record of speaking passionately on matters of taxation, public spending, debt management, and the broader direction of the country's economy. He has been a familiar voice during parliamentary debates and has not shied away from public forums where he has openly criticised certain fiscal measures.
In a detailed statement responding to the concerns, Nyoro acknowledged that he had taken time to reflect on the feedback from Kenyans who were disappointed by his failure to show up during such a critical moment.
"The vote for the Finance Bill happened yesterday; disappointingly, I was not in Parliament," he said in his admission.
The MP went on to explain that he had travelled out of the country on Wednesday evening for engagements that, according to him, could not be postponed. However, he was quick to point out that this should not be used as a justification for missing such an important session.
"But no explanation should absolve the blame," Nyoro added firmly, showing that he was not trying to make excuses for his absence.
He said the feedback he had received from Kenyans on social media and other platforms would help him and other leaders improve how they carry out their responsibilities both in Parliament and in public service.
Despite the criticism, Nyoro defended his overall record on the Finance Bill and the Appropriations Bill, insisting that he had consistently participated in committee processes and floor debates to provide alternative views on government proposals. According to him, these engagements have helped inform Kenyans on decisions affecting businesses, investments, and the economy at large.
The Kiharu MP also took the opportunity to highlight what he sees as a troubling trend in Parliament. He argued that the House is currently operating in an unprecedented environment where the majority and minority leadership appear to be aligned on many issues, making the work of oversight much more difficult. This, he said, had informed his approach of engaging both within Parliament and through public platforms where he could express his views more freely.
On the proposals he had championed to reduce fuel prices, the legislator said they were presented before the relevant committees but were unfortunately not included in the Finance Committee's final report. He explained that pursuing the proposals through amendments became difficult after they were classified as matters requiring a separate legislative path.
Nyoro concluded by emphasising that leaders must remain accountable and open to criticism, adding that no one is perfect.
"As human as we are, we are far from being perfect and we will always seek to learn from the feedback we receive," he said.
His statement comes at a time when Kenyans are increasingly demanding more accountability from their elected leaders, especially on matters that directly affect their daily lives and the cost of living.
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