Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire during the 36th Anniversary celebrations of the ACK Diocese of Embu on July 19, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERAEmbu Governor Cecily Mbarire has criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alleging he has been undermining women leaders, and urged him to stop attacking female governors and allow voters to decide the region's political future ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony for 450 youths trained on digital skills, innovative technologies and photography at Moi Stadium in Embu on Friday, the UDA National Chairperson said women leaders deserved the same respect accorded to their male counterparts, regardless of their political affiliation.
She said reducing women leaders to gender rather than evaluating them on their performance undermined the gains made in promoting women's leadership in the country.
"Rigathi Gachagua, you should desist from undermining women in leadership and start looking at women leaders as equal partners with our male counterparts. Women leadership begins from the neck up, not the waist down," Mbarire said.
Mbarire's remarks came days after Gachagua's meet-the-people tour of Embu County, during which the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader criticised her, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika over their support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
During the tour, Gachagua called on residents to reject the three governors in 2027, saying they had, in his view, abandoned the interests of the Mt Kenya region in favour of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The governor said Gachagua had used his political rallies to demean elected leaders instead of selling his agenda to wananchi.
She said no politician had the right to dictate to Embu residents whom they should support, insisting that leadership should be determined through the ballot and not political intimidation.
"When you come to Embu, stop dictating to Embu residents whom they should elect in 2027. Give the people of Embu your agenda and manifesto and leave them to decide whom they will elect," she said.
Mbarire also declared that Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Isiolo counties would increasingly chart their own political course, saying leaders from Mt Kenya East had for years supported politicians from the western side of the region without receiving equal recognition.
She said the time had come for the four counties to rally behind leaders from their own region, singling out Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki as one of the leaders deserving their backing.
"Going forward, we will solemnly support leaders from Mt Kenya East, including Prof. Kithure Kindiki," she said.
