Governor Mbarire's outburst exposes deepening internal conflicts within UDA
An angry Mbarire issued a stern warning to certain government officials plotting against her in alleged clandestine night meetings.
President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party's prospects in the Mt Kenya region could be declining further after the outfit's chairperson, Cecily Mbarire, expressed displeasure with unnamed senior officials of the government.
Although the Embu County Governor failed to mention the top officials, sources indicate her past fallout with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as the reason for her outburst. An angry Mbarire issued a stern warning to certain government officials plotting against her in alleged clandestine night meetings.
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The governor claimed that she had been made aware of government officials travelling from Nairobi to Embu to undermine her governance in collusion with local leaders.
In her impassioned speech, Mbarire recalled facing hostility from the county residents for supporting the government, even as the same government had chosen to oppose her.
"You know I am the chairperson of the UDA Party, and if there is anyone who has suffered because of supporting the government, it is me," she stated.
"But I have noticed that there are people who have started plotting against me, and they are inside the government that I fight for daily. Those officers from Nairobi who are coming to Embu to hold night meetings to fight elected leaders have no respect, and they pretend to understand the political landscape in Embu more than we do."
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has weighed in on the complaints raised by Mbarire, who expressed frustration over being undermined by top government officials within Ruto's administration.
Khalwale addressed Governor Mbarire directly, urging her to brace herself, adding that what she is facing is not new in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
"Governor Mbarire, hivyo ndo inaendanga. Don't cry; just move on," Khalwale wrote.
The senator went on to cite past experiences, pointing out how he and former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama were similarly sidelined in the ruling party despite being founding members of UDA.
Khalwale recalled how the leadership of the party shifted swiftly after the elections, with Muthama being replaced by Mbarire as National Chairperson and Cleophas Malala, a former ANC member, being appointed Secretary General.
According to Khalwale, what Mbarire is going through is part of a pattern within the party, and she should not be surprised.
He maintained that just like it happened to them, it is now happening to her, adding that the party is currently in disarray.
Political analyst Samuel Owida notes that the UDA Party Chairperson is feeling the heat on the ground following last year's impeachment and eventual expulsion of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua from the party.
"I think Mt Kenya residents are not keen on staying in the UDA party anymore. That could be the reason why Mbarire and other top officials from the party in the region are locked in turf wars and games of wit," noted Owida.
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