Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is set to attend the inaugural Macadamia Conference on Wednesday, at Embu University, marking a significant move amid growing political tensions in Embu County. The event, organised by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), seeks to spotlight the development and sustainability of Kenya’s vital crop value chains, with a strong focus on macadamia.
AFA, a state corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, plays a central role in regulating and promoting various crop sectors, including tea, coffee, milk, and Catha edulis (muguka). Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and other top national and county leaders are also expected to attend.
Kindiki’s planned appearance comes on the heels of a highly publicised meeting with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire at his Karen residence. The meeting, held Wednesday morning, was aimed at diffusing tensions following recent claims by Mbarire that certain senior government officials were undermining her leadership. Mbarire, who serves as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) national chairperson, has been at the centre of speculation over possible rifts with Kindiki linked to 2027 succession politics.
The Deputy President’s visit follows a series of unannounced visits to Embu County in recent weeks, often without Governor Mbarire’s presence. On Tuesday, Kindiki hosted a separate delegation of Embu leaders—including Senator Alexander Mundigi and MPs Eric Muchangi, Nebart Muriuki, and Woman Rep Njoki Njeru—further fuelling speculation of a fallout. Notably, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who had attended the Tuesday meeting, was absent from the Wednesday session with Mbarire. Ruku’s recent remarks, suggesting that dissenters “are free to join the opposition,” were perceived as a jab at the governor.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Kindiki emphasised the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural value chains in Embu. “We discussed interventions to protect and grow key sectors, especially tea, coffee, macadamia, and muguka,” he said.
Observers view the Deputy President’s participation in the Macadamia Conference as a strategic attempt to reaffirm national unity and refocus attention on agriculture amid political strains.
