Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has boldly called out a section of leaders whom she accuses of plotting to undercut her authority in Embu local political affairs despite serving in the same government.

Speaking with fiery resolve during Madaraka Day celebrations at Makima Primary School, Mbarire made it clear she won’t sit back and watch as backroom political deals are made behind her back.

She revealed that secret night meetings are being held to strategise on Embu’s political direction, deliberately excluding the county’s elected leadership, and without naming names, Mbarire warned that such schemes will not go unanswered.

“There are some leaders who are serving in government and are doing night meetings in Embu to plan for Embu politics without involving me and other elected leaders. I understand the political terrain of this country. I will not allow anyone, regardless of their position in government, to sabotage or bypass my leadership. Planning political activities for Embu without consulting the elected leaders is totally disrespectful,” she asserted.

Her remarks are the clearest signal yet that political temperatures in the Kenya Kwanza government are rising ahead of the 2027 elections, with battle lines already being drawn in the heart of Mt Kenya politics.

On Friday, the deputy president, Kithure Kindiki, made a quiet but politically loaded visit to Embu to address the rising insecurity cases. Unlike previous high-profile visits where local leaders, led by Governor Cecily Mbarire, took charge of mobilisation and logistics, Kindiki’s stopover seemed different from previous arrangements.

Governor Mbarire was not present when the deputy president visited, with some sources close to her saying she was not aware that Kindiki was visiting the county. Shockingly, several members of the Embu County executive confessed in anonymity to the press that they were completely in the dark over the DP’s visit.

Kindiki opted to instead work directly with the local business community to mobilise residents for the high-level visit.

Curiously, the only elected leader who accompanied Kindiki during the visit was Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, yet even he was not accorded the courtesy to address the crowd, a rare snub for a sitting senator. Adding to the intrigue, several of Mbarire’s close allies took to social media on the eve of Kindiki’s visit not to welcome the Deputy President but to dismiss reports of his impending visit as mere speculation.

Mbarire was a no-show at a breakfast meeting held recently at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, raising eyebrows and fuelling speculation within political circles with the Kenya Kwanza government.

In past Kenya Kwanza visits, Governor Mbarire has played a central role, often personally whipping up support from grassroots leaders in mobilisation.

Is this a sign that Governor Mbarire’s grip on Embu’s political scene is weakening? Or could it be that Kenya Kwanza’s senior figures are beginning to sidestep the UDA national chairperson altogether?