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In a Gazette Notice dated February 6, 2026, President Ruto withdrew the appointment of Felicity Nkirote Biriri as Chairperson of the Warehouse Receipt System Council (WRSC) and named Patrick Mukundi Mbogo of Embu County as her replacement. The move has ignited a public fallout within UDA, particularly among leaders from Meru County.
Biriri, a former woman representative aspirant from Meru, broke her silence with a strongly worded statement in which she questioned the circumstances surrounding her removal.
While acknowledging the President’s constitutional authority to make appointments, she suggested that her dismissal was driven by political intolerance rather than performance.
She argued that standing firm on issues affecting farmers and expressing independent views should not be grounds for punishment, warning that such actions discourage constructive debate within government institutions.
She argued that standing firm on issues affecting farmers and expressing independent views should not be grounds for punishment, warning that such actions discourage constructive debate within government institutions.
Biriri also drew attention to the critical role played by the WRSC in stabilising agricultural markets, saying the council remains underfunded despite its importance to farmers across the country.
Beyond her personal removal, Biriri raised broader concerns about what she described as the continued marginalisation of Meru County.
She noted that the region strongly backed President Ruto in the 2022 General Election but has since seen limited representation in national appointments and development priorities.
She further announced plans to contest the Meru Woman Representative seat in the 2027 elections, insisting that her political ambitions would not be derailed by the setback.
The controversy intensified after Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who also serves as UDA’s national chairperson, publicly congratulated Mbogo on his appointment.
She further announced plans to contest the Meru Woman Representative seat in the 2027 elections, insisting that her political ambitions would not be derailed by the setback.
The controversy intensified after Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who also serves as UDA’s national chairperson, publicly congratulated Mbogo on his appointment.
Her remarks sparked backlash from Meru leaders, with Senator Kathuri Murungi openly criticising the move and accusing party leadership of unfair regional favouritism.
Murungi argued that if a replacement was necessary, it should have come from Meru County, warning that the decision risked deepening divisions within the party.
The public exchange between senior UDA figures has amplified perceptions of internal discord in Mt Kenya East, a region considered politically critical to the ruling coalition.
Murungi argued that if a replacement was necessary, it should have come from Meru County, warning that the decision risked deepening divisions within the party.
The public exchange between senior UDA figures has amplified perceptions of internal discord in Mt Kenya East, a region considered politically critical to the ruling coalition.
The WRSC appointment saga now adds to growing signs of dissatisfaction within UDA’s Mt Kenya base as the party grapples with balancing regional interests and maintaining unity.
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