Alego Usonga Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Atandi has morphed from being one of the biggest critics of President William Ruto’s administration to being trusted with a key position in the National Assembly.
Atandi was among Raila Odinga’s loyal lieutenants who did not shy away from openly rebuking and reprimanding the head of state to the extent of landing in trouble over his utterances.
This was evident in November 2023, when Atandi was at the center of controversy following his remarks against Ruto.
Atandi, who was on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, declared the Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairperson taking over from his Kiharu counterpart, Ndindi Nyoro, was compelled to withdraw for referring to President Ruto as a ‘temporary president’.
“We want to urge the temporary president to be very firm (against homosexuality),” Atandi said then.
“During this brief period that they are in power, they might mess us up and we could be the world’s laughing stock,” he added before Ugenya MP David Ochieng, who was the day’s speaker, interjected.
“Honourable Atandi, you shall withdraw your statement claiming the president is a temporary head of state,” said Ochieng.
Atandi then withdrew the sentiments in compliance with the speaker’s directive.
Criticise him over late Ogolla’s remarks
That was not the only time Atandi made headlines for slamming Ruto. On May 15, 2023, Atandi was among the lawmakers who faulted Ruto over his comments that he appointed the late General Francis Ogolla as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) despite alleged attempts to overturn his presidential win.
Atandi slammed Ruto, claiming that he was tarnishing the late Ogolla’s reputation.
“Ogola is competently in office, and the fact that he was made chief of the defence forces is something that we celebrate. The president should not continue to make such utterances that spoil Ogolla’s reputation,” the legislator insisted then.
He added, “When you say that there are many people that could have been appointed, you are not giving him the stature that he deserves. He will sit in an office and his juniors will look at him like he is not the best.”
He was also at the forefront in reprimanding the government of the day during protests organised by Azimio and consequently rejecting some key policy proposals brought in the National Assembly by the Kenya Kwanza side.
Change of stance
However, after the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga established strong ties with Ruto, Atandi moved from one of the head of state’s greatest critics to a key supporter.
The Alego Usonga MP started accompanying Ruto to various events while positioning himself for a powerful position.
On January 12, 2025, Atandi told Ruto during a Sunday service in Dagoreti North, Nairobi county, that his second term as head of state was guaranteed provided he stays close to Raila.
“As long as you’re with God and you are with Baba you’ll never be a one-time president,” he said.
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, Atandi also was among a group of legislators who accompanied Ruto to a church service in Eldoret. Addressing the congregants, Atandi announced his intention to replace Nyoro in the powerful position and asked Ruto to throw his weight behind him.
Rewarded
Atandi’s loyalty and change of stance was rewarded after he was declared the Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairperson, taking over from Ndindi Nyoro.
In his remarks, Atandi thanked Members of the Committee for bestowing him an opportunity to lead them as their Chairperson, further thanking his party leaders, Raila and Ruto.
Further, the Budget Committee Chairperson acknowledged that there was a lot in store for the Committee to deliver, ensuring that there was equitable distribution of resources across the country.
“We are taking over this committee at a time when most members are raising questions about the performance of the previous committee. We have taken note of some of the issues that have been raised. Some of them are correct, some of them are not correct,” Atandi stated.
“The only thing I want to promise now is that we know the map of the Republic of Kenya, and we know that resource sharing is one of the critical issues that affect peace and harmony in this Country and therefore I am going to ensure that we look at the map of Kenya and ensure that every section of the Country is a beneficiary of the resources that Kenyans bestow on us,” he added.
Atandi was first elected to parliament under ODM ticket in 2017 and secured a re-election in 2022. He graduated from Egerton University and worked at the National Bank of Kenya.
The youthful lawmaker attended Ambira High School between 1994 to 1997 after transitioning from Upanda Primary School.
After finishing school, Atandi rose from a sales representative to becoming a director in 12 years.
