National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah on Wednesday defended Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro during debate in Parliament, despite their political differences in the past.
Ichung’wah intervened after Mt. Elgon MP Kapondi interrupted Nyoro while he was addressing the House.
“Honourable Kapondi must realise that he is interrupting the newest party leader in the country, and he must respect party leaders,” Ichung’wah said.
The Majority Leader also defended Nyoro’s right to contribute to the debate, insisting that Parliament must protect his freedom to speak.
“He had a very good contribution, and we must protect the rights of the Honourable Ndindi Nyoro to speak in this House,” he said.
“I know he is being stopped from speaking elsewhere, but in this House we must protect him. He must speak.”
Nyoro, who recently left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and joined the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) as its leader, however, turned the spotlight back on Ichung’wah.
The Kiharu MP told Ichung’wah that he should first leave UDA before seeking to congratulate him.
“Before I continue, and with all due respect to my Member of Parliament for Kikuyu, I said the other day that I am willing to accept all the congratulatory messages from all Kenyans, but you must leave UDA first,” Nyoro said.
Nyoro also criticised the government over its handling of security, referring to a recent meeting in Homa Bay.
The exchange comes days after Nyoro announced his exit from UDA and his decision to work with the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The apparent change in tone from Ichung’wah is notable given his previous political differences with Nyoro, including past criticism of the Kiharu MP’s political ambitions.