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.
