The battle for the political soul of the Mt. Kenya region appears to be intensifying, with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire issuing a fiery defense of Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, insisting that the second-in-command position is firmly in his hands and “not up for grabs.”
Speaking to a charged crowd of supporters in Embu town over the weekend, Governor Mbarire, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Regional Government Caucus, dismissed emerging voices from the mountain who have suggested that the region needs to rethink its political strategy ahead of 2027.
“We are not letting go of that seat. I want to tell you today, and I want it heard loud and clear across this nation, that the Deputy President’s seat is ours,” Mbarire declared, pointing to Kindiki as he stood nearby. “Not up for discussion, not up for negotiation, and definitely not up for grabs.”
The Governor’s impassioned remarks appear to be a direct response to murmurs within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and the wider Mt. Kenya political arena. Recently, some legislators and elders have begun questioning whether the region got a fair deal in the current administration and have floated the idea of rallying behind a single candidate for the top seat in the future.
Shielding the “Professor of Politics”
Mbarire took the opportunity to shower praise on Kindiki, referring to him as a “professor of politics” who has mastered the art of governance and development. She accused unnamed forces of trying to destabilize the region by creating a wedge between Kindiki and the grassroots supporters.
“There are people planting stories that we need a new face, that we need to start looking for a new horse to bet on. Let me ask you: Have you seen the roads? Have you seen the development? Have you seen the stability?” she posed to the crowd. “Prof. Kindiki is not just a Deputy President; he is the anchor of our region in this government. We are sticking with him.”
Her sentiments were echoed by several MPs from the region who accompanied the DP during his development tour of the Upper Eastern region. They argued that Kindiki remains the undisputed leader of the mountain and that any talk of replacing him is the work of “political jobbers” looking for relevance.
Unity or Fracture?
Political observers note that Mbarire’s statement is significant because it represents a section of the political elite in Mt. Kenya attempting to consolidate early support behind Kindiki. This comes at a time when former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, despite his impeachment, maintains a significant following in his native Nyeri and parts of the mountain, often holding “thanksgiving” rallies that sound like political campaigns.
While Gachagua was not mentioned by name, the phrase “not letting go of the seat” is widely interpreted as a rebuttal to the Gachagua faction, which has subtly suggested that the impeachment was a mistake and that the mountain’s leadership must be reclaimed.
Kindiki’s Response
The DP, known for his measured tone, took to the podium to thank the leaders for their support but focused largely on service delivery. He urged residents to ignore “propaganda” and focus on registering as voters and protecting development projects.
“Leadership is about service, not noise. My work is to support the President and ensure that the resources due to this region get here,” Kindiki said.
As the clock ticks towards 2027, the war of words over who controls the Mt. Kenya voting bloc is expected to heat up. For now, Governor Mbarire has drawn a line in the sand: the DP seat belongs to Kindiki, and they are willing to fight to keep it.
