UDA Chair Cecily Mbarire Decries Frustrations from Government, Vows to Stay Put: "Shetani Ashindwe"
- Embu governor and UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire decried alleged interference and disrespect by senior national government officials
- Mbarire claimed that the officials from Nairobi were holding night meetings in Embu to undermine elected leaders, despite her loyalty to President William Ruto and the UDA
- She warned that unless the officials ceased their actions, she would publicly expose them, demanding mutual respect
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Embu: Power games took centre stage during this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations as governor Cecily Mbarire lashed out at unnamed government officials she accused of undermining her authority.
Source: UGC
Speaking at Makima Primary School grounds, Mbarire, who also chairs the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, alleged that top national government officers from Nairobi were plotting against her and other elected leaders in Embu county.
The vocal governor said the frustrations stemmed from alleged covert meetings held at night in the county by unnamed senior officials with the aim of sowing discord among local leaders.
Mbarire said she had remained loyal to UDA and President William Ruto, even during the turbulent campaign period ahead of the hotly contested 2022 General Election.
“If there is somebody who has faced a lot of challenges because of standing with this government, it’s me,” Mbarire said.
“But now, some people are planning bad things against me. And they are people in the government that I fight for each day. Those officers from Nairobi, who are coming to Embu to hold night meetings to fight elected leaders. They are disrespectful. They think they understand Embu politics more than us,” she lamented.
Who is intimidating Mbarire in Embu?
Mbarire warned the unnamed officials to stop undermining her leadership, saying she was not afraid to expose them if the intimidation persisted.
“I have been in politics for several years. Do not try to intimidate me, otherwise I will speak out. Tell me where you were when we were fighting for Ruto here in Embu, traversing the county to rally support for him. Now you want to fight me from Nairobi? I will not allow it,” she said.
Source: Facebook
The governor further emphasised her mandate as an elected leader, reminding the officials that she deserved the same respect she accorded them.
“Don't dare to come back to Embu again. Don’t look at me as a useless person. I am an elected leader chosen by the people of Embu county, and you are going to respect me. You should give me the same respect I give you,” she said firmly.
Mbarire urged the government to handle internal disagreements with decorum, calling for dialogue instead of backroom machinations.
“Our support for Ruto should not be taken for granted. If there’s a problem, call us to a round-table meeting and we talk. But don’t disrespect us, because if you do, we will disrespect you back,” she added.
This comes a few months after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hinted at plans to kick out Mbarire as the party chairman.
Did Kindiki push for Mbarire’s removal from UDA?
In January, Kindiki accused Mbarire of failing to defend Ruto from heckling during a past visit to Embu.
He questioned Mbarire’s commitment, saying a party leader should not be embarrassed in their own county. He implied that such failure cast doubt on her place in UDA leadership.
His remarks came at a time of internal friction in the party, months after former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua was impeached and UDA merged with Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress (ANC).
Khalwale answers Mbarire
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale clapped back at Mbarire after she expressed her displeasure and disappointment with a section of UDA top officials.
Khalwale, who doubles as Senate majority whip, sensationally claimed that Mbarire and former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala were irregularly imposed as UDA top party officials to frustrate him, hence they should not complain when the hand that fed them starts to bite.
The outspoken senator was of the view that the Embu governor was not fit for the job, but benefited from a 'backdoor deal' that elevated her to the position of UDA national chair.
Masolo Mabonga, HoD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on Khalwale's response to Mbarirre.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
