The anti-corruption crusade of Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire faces its sternest test yet as she comes under intense scrutiny over the alleged mismanagement of Sh10 million earmarked for a critical development project.

For a Governor who has built her brand on "cleaning up" the county and partnering with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), these allegations are politically radioactive. Critics are asking a simple, devastating question: Has the hunter become the hunted?

The Missing Millions

The controversy centers on funds designated for community infrastructure. While details remain murky, the core accusation is that the Sh10 million has vanished into the abyss of "feasibility studies" and "mobilization fees" with nothing to show on the ground. This echoes the findings of a previous EACC systems review in Embu, which flagged:

• Unsupported Payments: Vouchers paid without documentation.
• Pending Bills: A mountain of debt amounting to hundreds of millions, often used to hide fiscal impropriety.
• Procurement Loopholes: The failure to use e-procurement systems to track spending.

Irony of the "Iron Lady"

Mbarire has been vocal about accountability, recently warning her County Service Board that corruption would be met with "dismissal and prosecution." She even launched Corruption Prevention Committees (CPCs) with much fanfare. Now, opponents are using her own words against her.

"You cannot preach water and drink wine," said a local activist. "We need to know where the Sh10 million went. Is it in a project, or is it in a pocket?"

The Governor’s legal history—having recently battled defamation suits regarding land grabbing allegations—suggests she is no stranger to high-stakes defense. However, this specific inquiry strikes at the heart of her administrative competence. If the Sh10 million cannot be accounted for, Mbarire’s "new dawn" for Embu may be ending before the sun has fully risen.