Kaya Elders Denounce Mwakwere After Announced Mijikenda Spokesperson

By The COAST Team

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The nine Mijikenda subtribes’ Kaya elders have denounced Friday’s installation of former cabinet minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere as the Mijikenda spokesperson dismissing the move as irregular and disrespectful to established traditions.

The minister and former envoy was on Boxing Day, December 26 announced the spokesperson during a Mijikenda community function at the late Ronald Ngala Kaloleni homestead.

Just a day later, Saturday, the elders issued a 14-day ultimatum to Mwakwere and the group that presided over the ceremony to appear before them at Kaya Fungo in Kaloleni, believed to be the ‘mother’ of the nine Kayas, to explain themselves.ailure to comply, the elders warned that it would attract severe disciplinary measures under the customary law.

According to them the minister’s installation at Ngala’s homestead was conducted by individuals not recognised as bona fide Kaya elders.

Tsuma Nzai Kombe, Kaya elders coordinator addressing the Media at Kaya Fungo as he rejects nomination of Mwakwere to be the spokesperson. (Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)

“We summon Mwakwere and those who conducted the installation to appear in Kaya Fungo and ask for forgiveness within 14 days. If they fail to do so, we will punish them in accordance with traditional rites,” said one of Kaya elders Eric Karisa.

Speaking at the sacred shrine of Kaya Fungo where elders from the nine Kayas converged, they accused the ex-envoy of seeking a shortcut to exploit the community for personal interests and political gains.

Tsuma Nzai Kombe, the Kaya elders’ coordinator, said the minister had ignored the legitimate role of Kaya elders who traditionally oversee and safeguard the affairs of the Mijikenda community.

“We strongly condemn the action of installing Mwakwere with strongest terms possible. It’s unfortunate greedy can push people to desecrate the Mijikenda shrines for political gains,” he said.

Nguma Charo, the Mijikenda Kaya elders’ youth leader, said the community does not recognise the former Matuga MP as its spokesperson beyond his Digo roots.

“Installing him as a Mijikenda spokesperson is an insult to the Mijikenda traditions and cultures. We don’t recognise him as so, he can purport to be the spokesperson of his Digo subtribe. We don’t have an issue with that!” he said.

A section of Kaya Elders who gathered at Kayafungo to denounce Mwakwere. (Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)

Being one of those who immediately denounced his appointment, Charo expressed disappointment of the elderly leader for overlooking Kaya elders who were bestowed the rightful mandate to guide and advise the coastal community on matters traditions and cultures of the nine subtribes.

The elders vowed to issue clear directions to the community on the appropriate process on individuals eligible to be installed as the community’s spokesperson with traditions’ playbook of the nine subtribes.