The annual Mijikenda ‘Chenda Chenda’ cultural festival in Kaloleni constituency took a tumultuous turn on Monday, as political tensions between Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and former Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa overshadowed the celebrations. The event, which celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the nine sub-tribes of the Mijikenda, was marred by chaos, heckling, and premature departures of key political figures.
The ‘Chenda Chenda’ festival, observed on September 9 each year, is a significant occasion for the Mijikenda community, including the Giriama, Chonyi, Kauma, Duruma, Kambe, Ribe, Rabai, Jibana, and Digo sub-tribes. It is a time for the community to showcase their cultural traditions, dances, and rituals. However, this year’s festivities were disrupted by an open display of political rivalry.
The discord began with the erection of two separate daises. One was set up by the Kilifi County Government, while the other was put in place by Jumwa’s team. The situation escalated when Jumwa arrived and inspected her camp’s dais, proceeding to occupy it while Deputy Governor Flora Chibule and other county officials took their place on the county government podium.
The tension reached a boiling point with the arrival of Governor Mung’aro. As Chibule attempted to welcome Mung’aro to the county government dais, Jumwa and Mung’aro’s supporters clashed verbally and physically. The confrontation led to the dismantling of the public address system, further inflaming the situation.
The arrival of Trade and Industrialisation CS Salim Mvurya, who was representing President William Ruto, added to the tension. Jumwa’s attempt to attract Mvurya to her dais was rebuffed, with Mvurya opting to join Mung’aro’s group. This decision intensified the chaos, as Jumwa’s supporters felt slighted.
When Jumwa took the microphone to address the crowd, she was met with loud boos and heckles. The negative reception forced her to retreat to her dais, accompanied by a small group of her supporters. The disruptions continued as Senate Speaker Amason Kingi joined the government dais, only to be met with similar hostility. The crowd’s reaction led to the microphones being muted, further hampering the proceedings.
The chaotic environment prompted CS Mvurya, Senate Speaker Kingi, and Jumwa to leave the venue prematurely. Their departure allowed remaining leaders to criticize Jumwa, who had recently been dismissed from her position as Gender and National Heritage CS. The accusations against Jumwa included attempts to hijack the event for personal gain, a claim that was reportedly reflected in the disruptive nature of the day’s proceedings.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir arrived shortly after the departure of the key figures. His arrival was timely as it allowed for a shift in focus back to the core purpose of the festival. Nassir emphasized the importance of unity within the Mijikenda community, urging them to stay united despite the political discord that had marred the celebration.
In his brief address before the chaos unfolded, CS Mvurya had highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting cultural activities across Kenya through legislation. This promise underscored the government’s recognition of the cultural significance of events like the ‘Chenda Chenda’ festival, despite the political turbulence that overshadowed the day.
The day’s events revealed the deep-seated political rivalries in Kilifi County, particularly between Mung’aro and Jumwa. Jumwa, who had contested against Mung’aro for the position of Kilifi Governor in the last general election and lost, has since been a prominent figure in local politics. Her presence and actions at the festival were interpreted by many as an attempt to assert her political relevance, leading to a confrontation with Mung’aro’s camp.
As the festival concluded in disarray, the Mijikenda community was left to reflect on the day’s events. The chaos not only overshadowed the cultural celebrations but also highlighted the challenges of navigating political rivalries within the context of traditional events. The festival, intended to be a celebration of cultural unity, instead became a battleground for political one-upmanship.
In the aftermath, the focus will likely shift back to the community’s efforts to uphold their cultural heritage amidst the prevailing political tensions. The hope is that future celebrations of the ‘Chenda Chenda’ festival will be able to remain focused on the rich traditions of the Mijikenda people, free from the disruptions of political conflicts.
