Cecily Mbarire vows UDA push for Ruto second term during a fiery speech at the party’s National Governing Council meeting at State House on Monday, declaring that the ruling coalition will do “whatever it takes” to secure President William Ruto’s reelection in 2027 because, in her words, “he is working.”
The Embu Governor, who doubles as UDA’s chairperson, didn’t pull any punches as she rallied the troops in a room packed with MPs, governors, and party officials.
It was one of those moments that gets the political chatter going in Nairobi’s coffee shops and matatu rides. Mbarire stood tall, her voice steady but charged with that familiar determination she’s known for since her days as a vocal MP.
“We must do what we must do to get our second term no matter what it takes! Ruto must get his second term, because he is working! Long live Ruto,” she proclaimed, drawing cheers and a few fist pumps from the crowd. You could sense the energy – this wasn’t just talk; it felt like a battle cry ahead of what promises to be a bruising election season.
The NGC kicked off early that January 26 morning, with the sun barely up over the State House lawns. Ruto himself presided, looking relaxed in his signature open-collar shirt, as leaders hashed out strategies for the year ahead.
Her pledge underscores a shift: after months of internal rifts, UDA seems laser-focused on locking in that second term for Ruto, who’s been touting projects like affordable housing and digital hustles as proof he’s delivering.
Critics on social media were quick to jump in, with tweets flying about potential dirty tricks or heavy-handed tactics. One user from Kisumu wrote, “Sounds like desperation. What exactly does ‘whatever it takes’ mean?” Opposition figures like those in Azimio didn’t waste time either.
Raila Odinga’s allies called it a veiled threat, suggesting UDA might rig polls or silence dissent. Remember, Kenya’s history with elections isn’t spotless – 2007 still haunts many, and folks are wary of anything that smells like overreach.
Ruto’s camp, though, sees it differently. Mbarire followed up her chant with praise for the president’s grind: roads being fixed in rural spots, schools getting capitation funds on time, and inflation dipping below 5% for the first time in years.
“He’s working day and night,” she added, pointing to recent trips abroad that brought in deals for green energy and tech jobs. In Embu, where she’s governor, locals tell me they’ve seen real changes – better water supply, youth training programs. It’s that “hustler narrative” Ruto rode to power in 2022, and Mbarire’s betting it’ll carry him again.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. With 2027 creeping up, alliances are shifting fast. Gachagua’s out there with his new Democratic Congress Party, poaching UDA defectors and stirring Mt Kenya sentiments. Wamuchomba’s recent flip back to UDA got a nod at the meeting too – she’s been called a mole before, but showed up pledging loyalty.
Ichungwah, the Majority Leader, chimed in about sneaking through those tax bills last year without the 2024 chaos. Smooth, he said, but ordinary Kenyans might disagree when they feel the pinch at the pump.
For the average mwananchi scraping by in places like Mathare or Eldoret, Mbarire’s words might land as motivation or just more politicking. Jobs are still tough to come by, and while Ruto’s talking big on exports and infrastructure, bread-and-butter issues like food prices dominate WhatsApp groups.
One boda boda rider I chatted with in Nakuru shrugged: “They all say they’ll do anything for power. But will it mean more rides for me or just fancier cars for them?”
Mbarire wrapped her speech with a call for grassroots mobilization – door-to-door campaigns, voter education drives. UDA’s got the machinery: over 4 million members, county offices humming. But opposition isn’t sleeping.
Azimio’s regrouping, with fresh faces like young activists from the Gen Z protests eyeing seats. And don’t forget external factors – global oil prices, climate hits on farms – that could derail Ruto’s momentum.
As the NGC broke for tea and handshakes, the mood was upbeat. Ruto smiled through it all, echoing Mbarire’s chant with a quick “Long live Kenya.” But politics here is unpredictable.
Her vow might rally the base, but it also hands ammo to critics painting UDA as power-hungry. With elections 18 months out, every speech counts. Will “whatever it takes” translate to wins at the ballot or backlash on the streets? Kenyans will decide, but for now, Mbarire’s made her stand clear. Long live the hustle, I suppose – or at least until the next plot twist.
