Mijikenda Kaya elders have disowned a planned Coastal unity meeting scheduled for Friday at the home of former Cabinet minister the late Ronald Ngala in Vishakani, Kaloleni Sub-County, Kilifi County.
The elders termed the meeting illegal and driven by ill motives, accusing a small group of politicians of organising it for personal political gain. They urged residents to stay away from the gathering.
Led by coordinator Tsuma Nzai Kombe and Naomi Cidi Kumbatha, Kaya elders drawn from all Mijikenda sub-tribes convened at Kaya Fungo in Kaloleni on Christmas Day, where they conducted traditional rituals before publicly announcing that they did not recognise the planned meeting.
The elders said they could not support any initiative that had failed to involve local leaders and the recognised Mijikenda Kaya elders.
They noted that the late Ronald Ngala had received blessings from Kaya Fungo before rising to national leadership, arguing that any genuine Coastal unity drive should begin at Kaya Fungo rather than at the gravesite or homestead of the former minister.
Kombe said the elders would not allow the meeting to take place at the Ngala family home and called on the family to formally withdraw permission for the event.
“We will not allow this meeting to happen. The elders are opposed to it, and it cannot take place without our consent,” Kombe said, adding that youths would be mobilised to ensure the elders’ position is respected.
Naomi Cidi Kumbatha, a vocal coastal leader who attended the gathering in support of the elders, said a few individuals should not be allowed to exploit Coastal residents under the guise of unity.
She questioned why key local leaders, including the Kaloleni Member of Parliament, were neither consulted nor invited to the meeting.
Kaya elder Erick Mzungu from Ribe said the gathering was illegal and designed to benefit only a handful of individuals rather than the wider Coastal community.
Another Kaya elder, Charo Mwagaha of Kaya Fungo, said the meeting lacked the blessings of the elders and therefore could not proceed.
“Until leaders visit the Kaya together with all local leaders and perform the required rituals, such a process remains illegal,” Mwagaha said.
Youth representative Nguma Charo also criticised the organisers, accusing them of harbouring a hidden agenda.
“These calls for unity always emerge as general elections approach. It shows they are only interested in using the people to gain power,” he said.
The elders unanimously condemned the planned meeting and called on the organisers to call it off immediately, warning that it would not be allowed to proceed without the approval and involvement of the Kaya elders.
