UDA chair: A leadership seat too hot to handle?

A brewing political storm is shaking the United Democratic Alliance, with the latest casualty being its national chairperson, Cecily Mbarire.
Once a formidable figure in the party, Mbarire now finds herself at the centre of a power struggle that threatens to unravel the very fabric of the ruling coalition.
The tension within UDA reached a boiling point during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Embu County, where Governor Mbarire publicly accused unnamed senior government officials of orchestrating clandestine meetings to undermine her authority.
“There are some leaders who are serving in government and are doing night meetings in Embu to plan for Embu politics without involving me and other elected leaders,” she declared.
“Those officers from Nairobi who are coming to hold night meetings to fight elected leaders lack respect and pretend to understand our local politics.”
This public outburst is the latest in a series of events that have cast a shadow over Mbarire’s leadership. In January, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hinted at her possible removal, accusing her of failing to protect President William Ruto from hecklers during his visit to Embu.
“I talked to my sister Cess, the governor of Embu and my longtime political friend. And I asked her, being a UDA governor and the national chairperson of the party, how can the party leader, the president, come to your hometown and be heckled?” Kindiki questioned.
“How is that possible? The youth are heckling the president over something he has said that maybe they don’t want to hear. Then what reason do we have to keep you?”
Further complicating matters, Mbarire’s leadership was challenged when Cleophas Malala, then newly appointed Secretary General, filed a lawsuit to prevent his ouster. Malala contended that Mbarire’s authority to convene the National Executive Committee meeting was questionable, arguing that only the Secretary General had the power to call such a meeting.
This dispute led to the NEC appointing Hassan Omar as Acting Secretary General, effectively sidelining Malala and intensifying the internal rift within the party.
The internal discord within UDA is not an isolated incident. In the past, the party has witnessed similar power struggles, such as the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which was engineered by members of his own party. These events have raised questions about the stability and unity of the ruling coalition.
Analysts suggest that the current turmoil is a result of several factors, including shifting loyalties, personal egos, and the struggle for control within the party.
“The party is at a crossroads,” said political analyst Mwangi Gikonyo.
“The leadership vacuum created by the merger with ANC has left room for power struggles, and individuals are now positioning themselves to fill that void.”
The merger between UDA and ANC in January 2025 was intended to strengthen the ruling coalition. However, it appears to have had the opposite effect, exacerbating existing tensions and creating new fault lines within the party.
The integration of ANC leadership into UDA’s new structure has led to a redistribution of power, with some members feeling sidelined and others seizing opportunities to advance their own agendas.
As the situation unfolds, the question remains: will Cecily Mbarire weather the storm, or will she become another casualty in the battle for control within UDA? Only time will tell whether the party can overcome its internal divisions and present a united front as it approaches the 2027 general elections.
In the meantime, political observers will be watching closely, as the outcome of this power struggle could have significant implications for the future of Kenya’s political landscape.
For now, Cecily Mbarire’s leadership of UDA appears to be a seat too hot to hold.