UDA wrangles: Infighting, power rifts and defections shake the ruling party

 

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki chats with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire during the progressive and update meeting on the first cohort of 19 County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs). [DPCS]

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is showing signs of implosion, driven by internal wrangles among its leaders, whose public outbursts are sending worrying signals to the party’s general membership.

Party chairperson and National Executive Council (NEC) member Cecily Mbarire has taken her frustrations public, pointing an accusing finger at Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki, who also serves as the party’s deputy leader.

Mbarire’s discontent comes just two weeks after Kindiki publicly rebuked Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, accusing him of “public incitement” over ongoing government development projects.

As infighting continues, UDA  suffered a major political setback on May 7, when NEC member Joshua Kanake led a group of disillusioned grassroots leaders in defecting from the ruling party. They accused UDA of betrayal, abandonment and failing to deliver on its promises.

However, it was Mbarire’s public disillusionment last Sunday that laid bare the deepening rift within the party. The fallout comes amid growing backlash in the Mt Kenya region following the formation of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, after his impeachment and subsequent fallout with President William Ruto.

In a rare show of frustration, Mbarire accused senior government officials of orchestrating a plot to undermine her authority.
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations at Makima Primary School in Mbeere South, one of her strongholds, Cecily Mbarire declared an all-out political war on individuals she accused of holding secret meetings in Nairobi to plan local political activities without involving her or other elected leaders.

“There are some government leaders holding night meetings in Embu to plan politics without involving me and other elected leaders,” Mbarire said. “These officers from Nairobi lack respect and pretend to understand our local politics.”

Appealing for support, she warned her opponents: “I dare you to come back to Embu again. We will settle this man-to-man. I am elected by the people of Embu County, and you will respect me. I will not allow anyone to sabotage or bypass me.”

She reminded party leaders of the hardships she endured defending the Kenya Kwanza administration, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.

“If anyone has suffered for supporting the government, it is me. We travelled all over Embu with MCAs and the deputy governor, urging people to support the government for their benefit. And now, you come all the way from Nairobi to disrupt Embu,” she said.

Notably, Mbarire spoke two days after Kindiki toured Embu town, during a visit the governor did not attend. Kindiki held a consultative meeting with the Embu Town business community and small-scale traders.

On the same day, Kindiki met the governor at his Karen residence, alongside other national and county officials, to receive an update on progress toward establishing and operationalising 13 priority County Aggregation and Industrial Parks.

“Construction of CAIPs in 13 counties- Meru, Homa Bay, Busia, Kirinyaga, Embu, Uasin Gishu, Garissa, Migori, Machakos, Kwale, Wajir, Kisii and Bungoma- will be complete by August 31, 2025. The cost of constructing each CAIP is Sh500 million, equally shared by the National Government and the respective County Government,” Kindiki posted on his X account after the Karen meeting.

Sources within the Kenya Kwanza administration say Mbarire’s loyalty is under scrutiny. She is accused of failing to boost the ruling party’s popularity in Embu, ahead of a crucial by-election to replace Ruku.

“There is growing concern that the governor is not doing enough to promote UDA in Embu. We risk losing the Mbeere North seat to the opposition. There are also ideological clashes between Mbarire and Kindiki over the party’s candidate for the parliamentary seat,” a UDA insider revealed.

Tensions worsened after President Ruto was heckled in Embu, an incident that baffled Kindiki given that the Deputy Party Leader comes from the same county.
“You are the national chairperson of UDA and a governor,” Kindiki said last year. “Your party leader, the president, visits your hometown and is heckled — how can you still be trusted? How is that possible?” he challenged Mbarire.

UDA now faces an uphill battle to stay relevant after a group of officials from Embu ditched the party, accusing it—and Mbarire—of sidelining grassroots voices and running the party like a personal project.

“Danson Muriuki, UDA Coordinator for Manyatta Constituency, added that the party had failed the people and that they could no longer support a regime that ignores its grassroots soldiers and abducts young people.

“Our political marriage with UDA is toxic. There are no children, and the spouse has already married other wives. The way we came is the way we go,” Joyce Murekio, another vocal coordinator, said.

On May 11, another incident that laid bare the differences of the ruling party saw Kindiki scold Ruku after he called on the government to tarmac roads in the region.

Ruku had appealed to Kindiki to prioritise infrastructure improvements in Siakago on behalf of the elders, a move that appeared to irk the DP. Kindiki would later, the following day, refute the claim that he was scolding Ruku, claiming the remarks were directed at a former CS hailing from the same region.

“My remark being discussed referred to a former Cabinet Secretary from the same area and other ex-leaders who manifested similar conduct, to affirm that governments worldwide operate on the principle of collective responsibility.”

In January, Kindiki was again on the spot after he equated Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro’s position of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee as that of an assistant chief, a move that exposed the rifts within the ruling party.

“I want to ask the Majority Leader, because most matters need parliamentary support and a budget. The Majority Leader is responsible for pushing these once the President approves. The chair of the Budget Committee holds less power—it’s like comparing an assistant chief to a County Commissioner. Kimani Ichung’wah is the County Commissioner,” Kindiki said.

Political analysts see the ruling party’s current turmoil as the last gasps of a fading vehicle. They believe President Ruto may soon launch a new party to seek re-election.

“UDA was a special-purpose vehicle, and its work is done. I don’t expect the party to use the wheelbarrow symbol again. The infighting shows leaders are already competing for positions in the new party on the way,” said Dr Judy Makira, political analyst and Embu University lecturer.