Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire (left) and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
What began five months ago as an ominous warning from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire is now boiling over, threatening to derail her three-decade-long political career.
Governor Mbarire is being cautioned that she might become the next victim of the “use and dump” political strategy, which has reportedly claimed several high-profile allies.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
However, President William Ruto himself is being warned that Mbarire could be preparing to jump ship – potentially as part of a broader rebellion in the Mt Kenya region.
Governor Mbarire, who serves as interim chairperson of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), came under public criticism from DP Kindiki on January 30, 2025, after President Ruto faced heckling in Embu County – an occurrence that has repeated itself during several visits to the area.
President William Ruto addresses residents of Runyenjes in Embu County on April 4, 2025 during his tour of Mt Kenya region.
“I talked to my sister Cess, the Governor of Embu and a longtime 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?” DP Kindiki asked at the time.
Rather than respond directly, Ms Mbarire retreated to grassroots mobilisation and defence.
However, during Dr Ruto’s April visit to Embu, the heckling intensified, with the crowd accusing the President of making “pathological lies.”
The growing tension exploded into the open on June 1, 2025, when the Embu County boss, in her Madaraka Day speech at Makima, accused unnamed senior government officials of plotting against her.
“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 said.
On Tuesday, Ms Mbarire boycotted a delegation meeting hosted by DP Kindiki at his Karen residence, which focused on economic issues affecting Embu County.
Attendees included Senator Alexander Mundigi, Woman Representative Njoki Njeru, MPs Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South), and Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, the immediate former Mbeere North MP.
On Wednesday, the governor met the DP separately, accompanied by Embu County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Muriithi. Prof Kindiki described the meeting as consultative, focusing on national government projects in Embu and strategies to safeguard key agricultural sectors such as muguka, tea and macadamia.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (right) tours a miraa stand at University of Embu during the national macadamia conference on June 4, 2025.
“There is no problem whatsoever between me and Governor Mbarire or any other leader in Embu County. Anyone who knows my relationship with Embu leaders and the Embu people knows the journey we have travelled over the years,” Prof Kindiki said in Embu on Wednesday.
The DP also lashed out at some political leaders whom he accused of trying to drive a wedge between the national leadership and the people of Embu.
“There are some politicians who are trying to cause trouble, but at the moment, there are no problems – we are working together with the Governor,” said Prof Kindiki.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (right) with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Political analysts suggest that Ms Mbarire’s public outburst is a sign that she is under pressure from both the grassroots and the national leadership.
“When a ruling party chair voices frustrations publicly, it signals trouble from the top—likely from the President himself,” one pundit noted.
“The Embu ground is getting hotter for anyone outside the Gachagua formation. Mbarire is reacting to the pressure,” Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji said.
Litmus test for Prof Kindiki
He further claimed that Ms Mbarire fears a looming Mbeere North by-election, where her side’s chances of winning are slim.
Meanwhile, former Attorney General Justin Muturi has emerged as another vocal critic of the President, disclosing internal government secrets.
President William Ruto chats with the newly appointed Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku at Runyenjes town in Embu County on April 4, 2025 during his tour of Mt Kenya region.
To neutralise Mr Muturi’s growing influence, President Ruto appointed former Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku to replace him in the Cabinet – setting the stage for a by-election that could further polarise Embu politics.
“Slowly, my sister Mbarire is seeing the writing on the wall. She’s sailing in a sinking ship. The wise move would be to jump before it sinks,” Mr Muturi said in an interview.
The impending by-election is being seen as a litmus test for Prof Kindiki, who is tasked with taming his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua.
Mr Gachagua has declared himself the Mt Kenya kingpin and intends to lock UDA out of the region in the 2027 elections.
