Cecily Mbarire is no stranger to political survival. But her latest public outcry paints a picture of a seasoned politician preparing for her next move. At the heart of her message is betrayal—from within the very house she helped build.
During the Madaraka Day celebrations, the Embu Governor and UDA Chairperson made it clear she feels hunted, undermined, and isolated. Now, with whispers of powerful forces plotting her ouster, a strategic defection seems inevitable. Mbarire might be coiling, not collapsing—ready to leap toward the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) and secure her grip ahead of 2027.
Mbarire Out of UDA: A Calculated Exit in the Making?
Cecily Mbarire has thrown the first punch in what looks like an internal war within UDA. Her fiery Madaraka Day speech was not just a defense of her political turf. It was a declaration of intent.
Standing before her Embu County supporters, she accused unnamed government officials of holding secret night meetings to sabotage her rule. These operatives, she claimed, had been dispatched from Nairobi to chip away at her authority with the help of local politicians.
“I dare you to come back to Embu again,” she warned, adding, “We will deal with each other man-to-man.”
That wasn’t empty political theatre. It was a coded message—a shot fired at the heart of UDA’s inner circle. And it suggests Mbarire is ready to walk away.
Her statement did not fall in a vacuum. Tensions in the ruling party have been building. The sacking of Rigathi Gachagua from his deputy party role triggered factional chaos. Leaders loyal to him feel emboldened, especially in Mount Kenya.
In Embu, a pro-Gachagua wave is rising. Mbarire has failed to ride that wave or fight it off. Her silence while UDA burns in her backyard says more than words. Rather than rally UDA’s base, Mbarire is watching it fracture.
She has been slow, hesitant, and oddly quiet in a moment that demanded action. That silence has cost her. Party insiders now see her as expendable. And she knows it.
Powerful UDA Forces Want Her Out
Let’s be clear—Mbarire didn’t get here by accident. She fought tooth and nail for William Ruto. She delivered Embu votes. Mbarire earned her position. But politics is a game of now, not history.
Her failure to stamp UDA’s dominance in her county makes her vulnerable. Those eyeing her seat see opportunity. It’s not surprising that whispers of her exit are swirling. The script is familiar: isolate, discredit, replace.
Her warning about “officers from Nairobi” reeks of desperation—someone clinging on while knives are being sharpened behind closed doors. These are not opposition saboteurs. These are her own. Her frustration shows. But so does her awareness.
Mbarire has seen these games before. She has played them. She may be calling them out now because she wants to control the narrative before it spins. If the party is turning on her, she won’t wait for the axe to fall. She will walk first—on her terms.
DCP Could Be Her Political Lifeline
The Democratic Congress Party (DCP) is gaining quiet momentum in Mount Kenya, especially among politicians tired of UDA’s messy leadership wars. It offers a fresh banner. A chance to break free from the drama. For Mbarire, it might be a calculated landing spot.
Joining DCP won’t just protect her political relevance—it could allow her to contest and possibly retain her governorship in 2027. Staying in UDA, where she’s already being undermined, could be political suicide.
Her alliance with the President was once a strength. But now, it’s a liability in her region. With Rigathi Gachagua’s wave sweeping through Mount Kenya, Ruto loyalists are facing backlash. Mbarire is caught in the middle. Aligning with DCP gives her breathing room to reposition herself.
It also sends a message—she won’t be bullied out of politics. Mbarire is too sharp to cling to a sinking ship. If UDA wants to push her out, she will gladly use the momentum to catapult herself into a new orbit.
