What began as a warning five months ago from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has escalated into a political storm that now threatens to derail Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire’s decades-long political career.
Mbarire, who also serves as the interim chairperson of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is reportedly facing increasing isolation within the party, amid growing speculation that she may soon fall victim to the “use and dump” strategy allegedly employed against other key political allies.
President William Ruto himself has not been spared from the unfolding tension. There are mounting fears that Mbarire could defect, potentially joining a wider rebellion brewing in the Mt Kenya region.
The situation worsened in recent months, following several heckling incidents during President Ruto’s visits to Embu County. Deputy President Kindiki publicly criticised Mbarire after the first such event on 30 January 2025, questioning her relevance in party leadership.
“I talked to my sister Cess, the Governor of Embu and a long-time political friend. How can the party leader — the President — come to your hometown and be heckled? If you cannot prevent such incidents, what justification is there to keep you in party leadership?” Kindiki asked at the time.
Rather than issue a direct rebuttal, the governor focused her energy on grassroots engagements. However, tensions peaked during the President’s April tour, when heckling intensified, with sections of the crowd accusing him of making “pathological lies.”
The conflict came to a head on Madaraka Day, 1 June 2025, when Mbarire used her speech in Makima to allege internal sabotage by senior government officials.
“There are people in this government that I defend daily who are now working to politically undermine me. They are holding secret night meetings. If the intimidation doesn’t stop, I will expose them,” she stated.
Two days later, Mbarire skipped a high-level meeting chaired by the DP at his Karen residence, which focused on development challenges in Embu. Leaders who attended included Senator Alexander Mundigi, Woman Rep Njoki Njeru, MPs Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes) and Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South), and Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
However, she held a private meeting with Prof Kindiki the following day, accompanied by Embu County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Muriithi. The DP termed their talks “consultative,” noting they focused on key sectors such as muguka, tea, and macadamia.
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