The Mijikenda Chenda Chenda festivals held at Pwani University grounds in Kilifi County got a boost after other communities residing in the area graced the occasion to showcase their traditions and culture while blending them with the local tribes.

Traditionally, the event that started four years ago was a Mijikenda affair consisting of nine sub tribes, including the Giriama, Chonyi, Kauma, Kambe, Ribe, Rabai, Duruma, Jibana and Digo, but the inclusion of other tribes such as the Waata, Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kamba and other tribes has been seen as a unifying factor as many of their members have lived and known Kilifi as their home.

Hamisi Matano, a Giriama youth from Ganze, said that he was born and found members of other tribes already residing in the area; hence, it was a huge success to have them also participate in the annual festival that takes place every year on September 9.

“As the youth and especially the Gen Z, we were born and found ourselves living together with our agemates from other communities and hence the need for them to be included in the festivals as locals of Kilifi. Many of them, especially my friends and their parents, were born and raised in Kilifi and they do not know any other home apart from here,” he said.

He called for sustained efforts to educate the youth about their culture.

His sentiments were echoed by Lucy Wamboi from the Kikuyu community in Kilifi who encouraged the Kilifi County government to enhance community participation where the youth are engaged in traditional and cultural practices that are safe.

“Most of us have been here for more than 30 years and count ourselves as Kilifi residents and we thank the Kilifi County government for incorporating us and the other tribes in these festivals so that we can share our traditions and cultures for a moral upright society and peaceful coexistence,” she said.

Mrs Margaret Nzioka from the Kamba community of Kilifi said that encouraged peaceful coexistence among local communities.

“We are very happy for the local county government for involving us in many cultural, social and educational development and it has brought about harmony and peace and we feel part of Kilifi county,” she said.

Hundreds of residents and leaders led by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, his Deputy Flora Chibule, turned up for the festival that symbolises unity amongst the communities living in the county. During the ceremony, Kilifi leaders cautioned against the politics of division and preached unity for the sake of development. Mung’aro said that he would continue his development programs for Kilifi residents as mandated by the constitution so as to take the county to the next level.

The Governor added that he will endeavour to complete projects left incomplete by his predecessor and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.

Also present during the ceremony was Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, who said the Mijikenda was more united in government and they will strive to always be part of government.