Khalwale’s message to Mbarire after her recent outburst
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has weighed in on the complaints raised by Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire, who expressed frustration over being undermined by top government officials within President William Ruto’s administration.
Taking to his social media pages on Monday, June 2, 2025, Khalwale addressed Governor Mbarire directly, urging her to brace herself, adding that what she is facing is not new in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
“Governor Mbarire, hivyo ndo inaendanga. Don’t cry; just move on,” Khalwale wrote.
The senator went on to cite past experiences, pointing out how he and former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama were similarly sidelined in the ruling party despite being founding members of UDA.
Khalwale recalled how the leadership of the party shifted swiftly after the elections, with Muthama being replaced by Mbarire as National Chairperson and Cleophas Malala, a former ANC member, being appointed Secretary General.
“Out of the blue, Gov. Cecil Mbarire was elevated to the National Chairman & Cleophas Malala was plucked from the ANC Party, becoming the Secretary General of @UDAKenya. Ostensibly, this was to get rid of Sen. Muthama and teach Dr Boni Khalwale a lesson, both of whom were founder members of @UDAKenya. @UDAKenya is now in a spin,” Khalwale said.
According to Khalwale, what Mbarire is going through is part of a pattern within the party, and she should not be surprised.
He maintained that just like it happened to them, it is now happening to her, adding that the party is currently in disarray.
Mbarire’s concerns
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who also serves as the UDA National Chairperson, came out visibly angry during the Madaraka Day celebrations held on June 1, 2025, at Makima Primary School, Embu County.
In a bold speech, Mbarire accused unnamed government officials of plotting to undermine her politically.
“I have noticed that there are people who have started plotting against me, and they are inside the government that I fight for daily,” Mbarire said.
She called out officers from Nairobi, whom she claimed were holding secret night meetings in Embu County to frustrate the work of elected leaders.
“Those officers from Nairobi, who are coming to Embu to hold night meetings to fight elected leaders… I am an elected leader chosen by the people of Embu County, and you are going to respect me,” she declared.
Mbarire warned that if the intimidation does not stop, she would not hesitate to expose those behind the moves.
She reminded the officials of her loyalty to President William Ruto but insisted that loyalty should be met with respect.
Her statement came just days after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki made an unannounced visit to Embu, a move that reportedly caught Mbarire and other local leaders by surprise. The visit, according to her, was a part of a wider scheme to sideline her.
