Embu County Governor and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairperson Cecily Mbarire has issued a stern warning to certain government officials plotting against her in alleged clandestine night meetings.
Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations on Sunday, 1 June, 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."
Although she did not name names, the governor threatened to start dropping them if they did not stop interfering with her governance.
In a daring declaration, she reminded those targeting her that she is a veteran in politics and knows how to deal with the disruptors, who she relayed were nowhere to be found when she was campaigning for President Ruto.
"We traversed the whole of Embu with MCAs and my deputy, asking people to support the government so as to benefit, and now you are coming all the way from Nairobi to disrupt Embu," she stated.
"I will not accept that. You know yourselves. I dare you to come back to Embu again. We will deal with each other man-to-man... I am a leader elected by the people of Embu County, and you are going to respect me."
Reiterating her support for the President, Mbarire stated that she was open to receiving criticism from the officials at the party, but it needed to be conducted through proper channels.
She further urged the residents of Embu to support her and assist her when the situation became critical, as she had been working for their benefit since her election as the county governor in 2022.
The ruling party has faced several challenges over the past few months, with top leadership changing following the ousting of the former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who was promptly succeeded by Kithure Kindiki.
Besides the changes, the party split, with some of its members joining the Gachagua faction and campaigning against their party leader, President Ruto.
