Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo | PHOTO-COURTESY
By Correspondent
Residents of Embu County elected former Runyenjes Member of Parliament Cecily Mbarire as the second governor of Embu County after the expiry of Governor Martin Wambora’s tenure.
Mbarire who hails from the same area of Runyenjes as Wambora garnered over 108, 00 votes beating her closest rival Lenny Kivuti by less than 4000 votes in the just concluded August 2022 elections.
After assuming office Mbarire hit the ground running by forming his executive committee to replace Wambora’s county ministers. She held a sensitive balancing act in terms of region and gender to come up with an acceptable government.
Mbarire picked Esther Mworia to become the County Secretary though she was later appointed to be a Principal Secretary with the national government.
Emilio Kathuri who joined her camp later during the campaigns was rewarded by being given the influential position of the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Public Service, Administration, and ICT.
In her 10-department government, the governor appointed John Ndwiga to be in charge of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development, Prof Joe Kamaria to lead the Department of Finance And Economic Planning, Raymond Njagi to drive the Department Of Lands, Housing and Urban Planning and Francis Ndwiga to take care of the health department as CEC member.
Others are Florence Musyoka who took the Water, Irrigation, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources docket, Daniel Ngeranwa for Education, Jane Waroga for Youth, Gender Sports, Culture and Social Services while Trade Tourism and Industry Development given to Abdi Jamal Runyenje.
The lucrative debarment of Roads, Transport, and Public Works was given to Njeru Mugo.
In her inaugural speech governor, Mbarire promised to uplift the living standards of her people of Embu during her tenure by embracing transformative leadership strategies.
Mbarire promised to surpass Wambora in the development of the county where she expressed confidence that she will handle the matters that touch on the youth, women, and other residents of the county of Embu.
Lenny Kivuti has been quiet since the elections, unlike the previous time when he contested his loss at the high court.
Analysts predict that Kivuti is likely to get favor from William Ruto’s government after the Devolution Empowerment Party commonly referred to as Bus Party joined the ruling coalition after the general elections; however, Kivuti has recently been quoted revealing that his visit to Ruto was mainly focused on the development of Embu County and not pegged on political appointments.
‘I am a leader of Embu, I never made it to become governor for the second time, and my message to the great people of Embu is watching the space’ Kivuti said.
Mbarire’s government seems to enjoy a smooth ride as a result of the good working relationship between the Executive and the County Assembly. The current County Assembly Speaker Josiah Thiriku is a close friend of the governor and the same is seen in his deputy, the current Kirimari ward MCA Ibrahim Swaleh.
Former governor Martin Wambora has kept a low profile since he handed over Governor’s office to Mbarire. He is an ordinary citizen after serving the people of Embu in various political positions for more than two decades. Wambora is rarely seen in Embu and his next political move is not known.
