Ndindi Nyoro takes Ruto head-on over taxes, police reforms and attacks on Uhuru

Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) and People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro has intensified his campaign to popularise the newly formed political outfit, using a tour of Kiambu County to launch a broadside against President William Ruto’s administration over taxation, the rising cost of doing business, police reforms and its continued criticism of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Nyoro, who was on Friday, August 28, 2026, hosted by local leaders during a tour of Kamwangi in Gatundu North, received a rousing welcome from residents, with the large crowd causing a traffic snarl along the Thika–Flyover road that lasted more than two hours.

Addressing the gathering, the legislator accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of reneging on its promise to reduce the tax burden on small-scale traders and create a more favourable environment for businesses to thrive.

“Kenyan traders are already heavily taxed and this threatens to push majority of them out of business, yet in his presidential campaign Ruto promised to remove the tax burden from small traders whom he had branded ‘mama mbogas’ and boda boda people,” Nyoro said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of demonstrations by small-scale traders in Nairobi, where police fired tear gas at protesters who were opposing what they described as the escalating cost of doing business and increased taxation.

The protests were triggered in part by a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) decision to increase the Customs Minimum Benchmark for consolidated cargo from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million.

The new benchmark, which took effect on August 20, represents a Sh700,000 increase and has sparked concern among traders and importers, who fear that the additional cost will squeeze already thin profit margins and ultimately raise the prices of goods.

Nyoro said the move was ill-timed, arguing that businesses were already struggling with high operating costs.

“The unwarranted increase will place an additional financial burden on small businesses and also importers who are already dealing with rising operating costs which they are going to pass on to small traders,” he said.

The PPK leader also condemned the use of force against protesting traders, saying the government should have engaged them and addressed their concerns rather than subjecting them to police action.

He argued that the government should broaden the tax base by bringing more Kenyans and economic sectors into the taxation system instead of repeatedly increasing the burden on existing taxpayers.

KRA has, however, clarified that the Sh3.2 million figure represents a minimum yield for consolidated cargo and should not be construed as the actual tax payable on every container.

Nyoro also criticised what he termed misplaced government priorities, particularly the focus on unveiling new police uniforms at a time when officers and Kenyans have been demanding substantive police reforms.

His comments followed President Ruto’s unveiling of a redesigned police uniform during the passing-out ceremony for recruits at the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri.

The new uniform has attracted widespread debate and ridicule on social media, with critics questioning whether changing officers’ attire addresses the deeper challenges facing the security sector.

Turning to politics, Nyoro warned President Ruto against continued attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta, saying the conduct could establish a precedent that may eventually work against the Head of State when he leaves office.

“Ruto has been leading his troops in castigating and disparaging the former President. This is a bad precedent which he could setting even for himself once he leaves office,” Nyoro said.

He questioned why Uhuru remained a frequent subject of discussion in Kenya Kwanza political meetings despite having had no role in the formation of the Ruto-led alliance.

“Uhuru was not part of the Kenya Kwanza agenda for the President and his close associates to be discussing in close to all of their political meetings,” he said.

Nyoro, meanwhile, called for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that a united opposition would offer the clearest path to defeating Ruto and forming the next government.