Kenya Minute.
Thursday, 20 August 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 20 August 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Kenyan press · Person

Cecily Mbarire

Also known as: Governor Mbarire · Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire · Governor Cecily Mbarire · Ms Mbarire

Embu Governor who defends her alliance with President Ruto citing regional development in Mt Kenya East.

2026-04-262026-08-20

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire said leaders from the region would continue defending Deputy President Kindiki and would not allow anyone to undermine him.

    Mt Kenya leaders claim Gachagua is undermining regional leaders
  3. The Standard

    President William Ruto alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, ODM Leader Oburu Oginga, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, and Governors Susan Kihika, Gladys Wanga, and Cecily Mbarire arrive at the Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County for the broad-based government retreat on August

    Broad based PG puts fence sitters on notice as scramble for defectors intensifies
  4. July 2026
  5. Citizen Digital

    The jubilant youths also turned their criticism towards Embu Governor and UDA National Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, accusing her administration of failing to deliver key development projects and fulfil campaign pledges made ahead of the 2022 General Election.

    Traffic disrupted in Embu as youths celebrate DCP's Ol Kalou by-election victory
  6. Citizen Digital

    He commended the residents of Embu County, under the leadership of Governor Cecily Mbarire, for mobilising them to register with SHA.

    I will not allow tribal politics to thrive in Kenya - Ruto
  7. Citizen Digital

    He commended the residents of Embu County, under the leadership of Governor Cecily Mbarire, for mobilising them to register with SHA.

    I will not allow tribal politics to thrive in Kenya - Ruto
  8. Capital News

    Earlier, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku strongly defended their alliance with the President, arguing that Embu has witnessed unprecedented development under his administration.

    Ruto Says He Earned Embu Votes Himself, Says 35-Year Bond Predates Gachagua Alliance
  9. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya,Jul 5 — Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku have mounted a spirited defence of their alliance with President William Ruto, declaring that Mt Kenya East will remain firmly behind the President’s re-election bid in 2027 bec

    Mbarire, Ruku Defend Alliance With Ruto, Rally Mt Kenya East Behind Ruto Over ‘Visible Development’
  10. June 2026
  11. The Standard

    Led by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, MPs Muchangi Njiru (Runyenjes) and Njoki Njeru (Embu), they said the levy was forcing buyers to seek alternative markets to avoid parting with Sh1.2 billion annually.

    Ruto's allies oppose tea levy, urge government to support farmers
  12. The Standard

    Among those present were Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, Nyandarua Woman Rep Faith Gitau, Kiambu Woman RepAnn Wamuratha, Bahati MP Irene Njoki, EALA MP Maina Karobia and other local leaders.The leaders dismissed claims b

    Tension in Ol Kalou as residents stop buses over ID cards auction claims
  13. Citizen Digital

    The high-stakes encounter drew a host of dignitaries, including Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko and President’s son George Ruto, among other notable figures.

    Migori Youth crowned NSL winners after Embu thriller

Sunday 16 August

  1. Mt Kenya leaders accuse Gachagua of undermining regional counterparts

    Mt Kenya leaders, led by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, have accused Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua of undermining regional leaders while claiming close ties with them. The leaders called for greater political unity and self-determination in Mt Kenya East and voiced support for Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

    16 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Broad-based government pressures undecided politicians to commit

    President Ruto's broad-based government coalition is intensifying efforts to secure commitments from fence-sitters amid a competitive scramble to recruit defectors from opposition ranks, as demonstrated by a retreat held at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County attended by senior government and coalition officials.

    11 August 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 18 July

  1. DCP wins Ol Kalou by-election; celebrations disrupt Embu traffic

    Hundreds of youths and boda boda operators took to the streets in Embu to celebrate the Democracy for the Citizens Party's victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, bringing traffic to a near standstill along the Embu–Meru Highway. DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho secured 35,440 votes to defeat UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who received 5,450 votes.

    18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Sunday 5 July

  1. Ruto vows to prevent tribal politics from thriving in Kenya

    President William Ruto said he would not allow tribal politics to thrive and urged Kenyans to shun those who preach it, stating that national unity is the foundation of a strong society and that economic progress depends on collective effort and trust.

    5 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Ruto vows to prevent tribal politics in Kenya

    President William Ruto urged Kenyans to reject tribal politics and those who preach it, saying national unity is the foundation of prosperity and that his government is focused on unity-driven development where economic progress depends on collective effort.

    5 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Ruto claims 35-year Embu relationship predates Gachagua alliance

    President Ruto has rejected claims by former Deputy President Gachagua that his Mt Kenya support stems from their political alliance, saying his relationship with Embu was built over more than three decades on friendship and trust rather than recent political ties.

    5 July 2026 · Capital News

  4. Mbarire, Ruku defend Ruto alliance citing regional development

    Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku have defended their alliance with President William Ruto, stating that Mt Kenya East will support his 2027 re-election bid because of what they describe as unprecedented development in the region, particularly in road construction, markets, and healthcare.

    5 July 2026 · Capital News

Sunday 28 June

  1. Ruto allies urge scrapping of tea levy on buyers

    President Ruto's allies, including Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Embu MPs, have opposed the Tea Board of Kenya's levy of Sh2.28 per kilogram charged to buyers, saying it forces them to seek alternative markets and costs the sector Sh1.2 billion annually. The leaders called on the government to remove the levy and instead fund tea research and marketing.

    28 June 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 20 June

  1. Ol Kalou residents block buses over alleged ID card auction

    Residents in Kaimbaga Ward, Ol Kalou constituency stopped school buses, alleging they were transporting people involved in the illegal auction of national identity cards. The incident, which occurred ahead of the July 16 by-election, sparked online debate and calls for investigations and transparency.

    20 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 14 June

  1. Migori Youth crowned NSL champions after Embu draw

    Migori Youth FC won the 2025/26 National Super League title following a 1-1 draw against 3K FC at Moi Stadium, Embu, finishing with 81 points and earning promotion to Kenya's top-flight football.

    14 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Opposition MPs defend Uhuru, say Ruto should focus on cost of living

    Opposition legislators from UDA, Wiper and Jubilee parties have defended retired President Uhuru Kenyatta against attacks from the UDA party, accusing President William Ruto of running out of options to improve Kenyans' lives and revive the economy instead of engaging in political exchanges with his predecessor.

    3 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Manyatta MP Mukunji announces bid for Embu governorship

    Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has declared his intention to challenge incumbent Governor Cecily Mbarire for the Embu gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, saying Embu County has lagged behind in development since devolution.

    12 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 27 April

  1. President Ruto defends government reforms across education and agriculture

    President William Ruto reaffirmed his administration's commitment to addressing Kenya's challenges through reforms in education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure, saying the government is focused on delivering solutions rather than shifting blame. He cited specific measures including hiring teachers and reforming university funding in education, and tackling fertiliser costs and cartels through subsidies in agriculture.

    27 April 2026 · Capital News

Sunday 26 April

  1. Ruto claims SHA improved healthcare in Tharaka-Nithi address

    President William Ruto told supporters in Tharaka-Nithi County that his government has committed to solving Kenyans' challenges and is implementing reforms in agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, citing improved outcomes from these initiatives.

    26 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Cecily Mbarire — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute