Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has issued a sharp warning to Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, telling him to stop politicising the government’s plan to offload part of its shares in Safaricom and instead raise his concerns through Parliament.

Speaking in response to Nyoro’s public criticism, Mbadi accused the legislator of seeking publicity by challenging him to a televised debate.

“Yesterday or the day before yesterday, I saw one of my former friends, Ndindi Nyoro, asking me or calling me for a duel, is challenging me on Safaricom, that we should go to a TV station,” he said.

He insisted that accountability on the Safaricom divestiture should be handled within the structures of the National Assembly.

“This is my response to him (Ndindi Nyoro). I don’t want I don’t want you to use me to make a name. You are a member of parliament,” he said.

Mbadi argued that if Ndindi Nyoro has anything that he thinks is not right with the divestiture in Safaricom shares, then he should appear before the Finance and Planning Committee together with the Debt and Privatisation Committee.

“If you have anything that you think is not right with the divestiture in Safaricom’s shares, I will appear before the National Assembly where you sit. I know the Finance and Planning Committee, together with the Debt and Privatisation Committee, will invite me to defend or explain this transaction,” he stated.

“The Standing Orders in the National Assembly allow any member to appear before any committee of parliament. Just appear in this committee, the joint committee. Appear, put together all your questions, and I will answer them,” he explained.

The CS who spoke during a bursary funds drive at Kapiyo Secondary school in Bondo constituency, emphasised that parliamentary standing orders allow any member to summon officials before committees, adding that he is ready to face Nyoro in January or February when sittings resume.

Mbadi accused the Kiharu MP of double standards, recalling that Nyoro had previously urged the previous administration to sell Safaricom.

He questioned why Nyoro was now opposing the government’s move to offload only a portion of its stake.

“You don’t need a TV station. We need a structured dialogue, and I will come with all the facts. So you come and face me in January or February when you resume your sittings,” he said.

He stated that the reason why Ndindi Nyoro is opposing this strategy is that he doesn’t want the government to deliver.

The Treasury boss further criticised Nyoro for making political statements in funerals and churches, saying such platforms were inappropriate for complex economic discussions.

“The people at the funerals have come to bury their loved ones. Allow them, give them peace to bury their loved ones. There is the National Assembly where we’ll appear even for four hours, five hours, you will have the opportunity to engage with John Mbadi,” he stated.

Mbadi maintained that the divestiture plan is aimed at helping the country’s economy “take off,” and promised to provide detailed explanations before Parliament.

The CS was flanked by MPs Martin Owino ( Awendo), host Gideon Ochand and nominated Senator Consolata Wakwabubi, who called on President William Ruto to close his ears to detractors and assured him of their support come the 2027 general elections.