Embu County is currently at the center of a brewing political and legal storm following a startling admission by Governor Cecily Mbarire. During a high-stakes hearing before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on January 28, 2026, the Governor confirmed that her administration diverted Ksh 10 million originally earmarked for a critical development project to fund a political event.
The Diverted Funds: From Industry to Politics
The money in question was part of the budget for the County Aggregated Industrial Park (CAIP), a joint project between the national and county governments intended to create jobs and spur economic growth. However, instead of building infrastructure, the funds were used to host a “Boda Boda Summit” attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
| Project Details | Information |
| Original Source | County Aggregated Industrial Park (CAIP) Account |
| Amount Diverted | Ksh 10,000,000 |
| Recipient Event | Boda Boda SACCO Launch (attended by DP Kithure Kindiki) |
| Governor’s Defense | “Immense pressure” and a need to honor campaign promises |
Governor Mbarire told the committee that her administration faced “immense pressure” to fulfill a promise made to launch and fund Boda Boda Saccos. Since the county lacked the immediate liquid cash to host the high-profile summit, they opted to “borrow” from the industrial park’s special-purpose account.
Repercussions and Reactions
The fallout from this admission was immediate, both in the Senate and on the streets of Embu Town.
1. Senate Sanctions and “Surcharges”
The Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Moses Kajwang’, termed the transaction an “illegality.”
- The Comparison: Kajwang’ compared the move to a recent case in Vihiga County where funds were used for a housewarming party, suggesting that the Embu diversion was even more egregious because it raided a development fund.
- Surcharges: The committee recommended that Governor Mbarire and the involved officials be surcharged—meaning they may be held personally liable to pay back the diverted funds.
- Missing Records: Further complicating matters, Mbarire claimed that original procurement documents for the Industrial Park were destroyed during an arson attack on the county finance offices in mid-2024.
2. The Boda Boda Riders Disown the Event
In a surprising twist, the very people the event was supposedly for—the Boda Boda operators—took to the streets of Embu Town in protest on January 29, 2026.
- Denial of Benefits: Protesting riders claimed they never received any of the Ksh 10 million. They insisted the “summit” was a political gathering and that their own Sacco activities are funded by their own contributions.
- The Ultimatum: The riders issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Governor, demanding she clear their name and stop using them as “scapegoats” for the misappropriation of public funds.
What’s Next for Embu?
The Governor has pleaded for leniency, promising the Senate that “it will never happen again.” However, with the Auditor General flagging the transaction as illegal and the local community demanding accountability, the political climate in Embu remains tense.
Embu Governor Mbarire admits to diverting funds
This video provides the direct testimony of Governor Mbarire as she explains the diversion of funds to the Senate Public Accounts Committee.
Metropolitan 