Why Governor Mbarire no show at Ruto, Kindiki events has raised eyebrows

The governor, who also serves as the UDA national chairperson, was absent when President Ruto convened a meeting with all governors at State House on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

On the same day, she missed the National Macadamia Conference held at Embu University Grounds, which was graced by Kindiki, despite having met the DP earlier that morning at his Karen residence.

Governor Mbarire’s absence from both high-level meetings has raised eyebrows, especially in light of simmering political fallout in Embu since November 2024, when President Ruto was publicly heckled.

Her no-show has once again exposed the deep political undercurrents in the Mt Kenya region, marked by shifting alliances following the launch of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

While addressing the Macadamia Conference in Embu, Kindiki sought to dispel rumours of a rift, saying he had no problem with any leader from Embu County.

“There is no problem whatsoever between me and Governor Cecily Mbarire or any other leader in Embu County,” Kindiki asserted.

“Anyone who knows my relationship with Embu leaders and residents understands the journey we have walked together over the years. Ignore whatever else you are hearing.”

He conveyed greetings from the Governor and emphasised their shared focus on delivering the Kenya Kwanza plan to the people of Embu and the nation.

“She will come here later and confirm to you that there are no issues. We are all committed to fulfilling the promises we made—to transform lives through policy and administrative reforms in agricultural value chains, infrastructure, job creation, and improved quality of life,” Kindiki said.

Despite Mbarire being listed in the programme, she was represented by her deputy, Justus Kinyua Mugo.

Mbarire’s absence came just days after she publicly criticised certain senior national government officials for allegedly undermining her leadership.

During Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2025, at Makima Primary School in Mbeere, the governor accused unnamed officials of holding night-time political meetings behind her back.

“These government officials are disrespecting me, and they should stop,” she said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“I will not sit back and watch as backroom political deals are made without my knowledge.”

Kindiki had earlier disclosed that he met Mbarire and Embu County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Muriithi on Wednesday morning.

The meeting sought to discuss the status of national government projects and interventions to protect key agricultural value chains such as tea, coffee, macadamia, and Cathus edulis (muguka).

The meeting took place at the DP’s Karen residence.

This meeting came just hours after Kindiki had held a separate session at the same venue with a section of elected leaders from Embu County, during which Mbarire was notably absent, fueling further speculation of tension between the two.

Among those present at the earlier Tuesday meeting were Senator Alexander Mundigi, Woman Representative Njoki Njeru, MPs Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South), and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.

However, Ruku was not present during Wednesday’s engagements.

Sources indicate that tensions between Mbarire and the Deputy President may trace back to a January incident when Kindiki publicly questioned her leadership following President Ruto’s heckling in Embu.

“I spoke to my sister, the governor of Embu, not as Deputy President but as a fellow leader,” Kindiki had said at the time.

“You’re the national chairperson of UDA, a UDA governor. The president comes to your county and is heckled—what justification is there to keep you in that role?” the DP posed.

While Kindiki later described his visits to the region as impromptu and insisted that Mbarire had not been excluded deliberately, the absence of coordination has added to speculation of a widening rift within the UDA leadership.