Call for Mijikenda unity ahead of Chenda Chenda festival

 

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro with Kaya elders

Calls for unity within the Mijikenda community have intensified ahead of the annual Mijikenda Chenda Chenda Cultural Festival in Kilifi county.

The event will be held today at Kaya Fungo in Kilifi.

Mijikenda Kaya elders from all nine Kayas will converge at Kaya Fungo for the celebration.

Kilifi county’s political leadership, led by Governor Gideon Mung'aro, has met at least three times with the Kaya elders to ensure the event's success.

On Saturday, Mung'aro hosted the final planning meeting, attended by Kaya elders and political leaders from Kilifi, representing UDA and the opposition.

He said the long-sought unity of the Mijikenda community must be achieved this time round.

“We have seen other communities across Kenya come together to benefit from the national government. For too long, the Mijikenda community has been divided, but this time we must ensure we speak with one voice," Mung'aro said.

The governor said during the Chenda Chenda Cultural Festival, the Kaya elders must guide the Mijikenda community forward.

“We are now asking the Kaya elders to show us the way as a community. We cannot continue to be left out of national politics due to a lack of unity,” Mung'aro said.

The event will also tackle critical issues like the perennial land disputes in the region and unemployment.

The increasing killings of elderly people will also be addressed.

Elders will plant indigenous trees in the Kaya forests, which have long been targeted by loggers and land grabbers.

Mijikenda Kaya Elders Association Coast chairperson Mwinyi Mwalimu urged governors from the community and political leaders at the Coast to unite and support such annual celebrations.

“This event is not just about Kilifi county. The Mijikenda community extends to Mombasa and Kwale. We call on leaders to unite and support our culture and these celebrations,” he said.

Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu said the aim behind the Chenda Chenda Festival is to unite the Mijikenda community.

“We have seen how different people can work together, such as in the broad-based government formed by President William Ruto. If Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga can cooperate, what is stopping us Mijikenda from uniting?” she posed.

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, also the deputy majority leader in the National Assembly, said the Chenda Chenda event should not be used for personal political gain.

“These events must be respected. They shouldn’t be used for personal gain. As Kilifi leaders, we will work together and follow the governor's direction,” he said.

Mijikenda Kaya Elders Association coordinator Tsuma Nzai urged Kenyans and the international community to attend the celebrations.

He challenged the Mijikenda youth to embrace their cultural heritage.

Nzai said the festival will offer an opportunity for the young people to appreciate the importance of preserving culture, protecting the elderly and engaging with leaders on issues affecting the community.

“Many youths do not understand their roles within the community, which is why some end up attacking the elderly instead of protecting them,” he said.

by CHARLES MGHENYI