Luhya Community in Kilifi Position for Political Goodies

By Robby Ngoba

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The Luhya community in Kilifi County have launched an initiative aimed at positioning them for political, economic and social opportunities there ahead of the 2027 general election.

Organisers say the ‘OBUHAMBANI BWA ABALUHYA Umbrella Unity Group’ will enable them fight for power in the county government and ensure that the community is included in decision making since it constitutes a huge diaspora in numbers in the region.

Speaking during the community event at Barani Secondary School grounds in Malindi town, the community chairman Wilson Ahonga said that the community had been sidelined by the previous county administration despite contributing immensely in its formation.

“Since the inception of devolution, we have never had a chance as a community to serve in higher county offices. But in 2022 when we gave our votes to Governor Gideon Mung’aro, he promised to incorporate us in the running of his administration.

Currently, we have some of our members serving in his executive and the unity we are forming today is meant to ensure that members continue to benefit from this regime.”

Wafula Masafu, a member, echoed his chairman’s sentiments saying going forward the Luhyas will have a strong voice in the political and economic sphere of the county.

He argues that for the first time, a Luhya member was nominated to the County Assembly of Kilifi as a member of County Assembly (MCA).

Millicent Khayanga, another member challenged the leadership of the umbrella unity group to remain focused in representing the welfare of the community in the public and private sectors within the county and also work with the local communities for posterity.

Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi thanked the Luhya community for fulfilling their 2022 election promises by overwhelmingly voting for her and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) team into power.

“I must thank you for the support you gave me during the 2022 election and that is why in my office, I have incorporated you and all other tribes and affiliates as staff. I also want to call upon all Kenyans to verify their voter registration details with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as they try to clean up the register and put it up to date,” she said.