The Chonyi community, one of the Mijikenda subtribes in Kilifi County, celebrated the inauguration of Raphael Mwangala as the new chairman of the Achonyi Council of Elders (ACE) in a colorful ceremony graced by top county leaders.
During the event, calls for unity among the Mijikenda community echoed throughout, as former Matuga MP Ali Chirau Makwere urged the political class to work together for the benefit of the community, both politically and economically.
“We must embrace and preserve our customs, passing Mijikenda values to future generations through unity,” said Makwere.
Raphael Mwangala, now the sixth leader of the council since its inception in 2011, promised to lead with integrity and honor the position he now holds.
“With humility, I accept the role of chairman, and I will work to ensure that our people achieve their goals,” said Mwangala emphasizing that the unity of the Chonyi people is now a priority for his leadership.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule, present at the event, highlighted the importance of involving younger generations in preserving Mijikenda traditions.
She called on the ACE to work with the youth to ensure that these customs are passed on.
“There should be an inter-generational dialogue to ensure that our traditional beliefs do not fade away, so that we can pass the good deeds to future generations,” Chibule said.
Kilifi Women Representative Getrude Mbeyu commended the founders of ACE, noting that the council’s leadership is crucial to the community’s progress.
“I want to thank all the founder members of ACE, as it has given us unity of purpose and a clear path toward political and economic development,” said Mbeyu.
Senator Stewart Madzayo and Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga reaffirmed the Chonyi community’s ambitions to take a stronger political stance in Kilifi County.
They pledged to support the current governor, Gideon Mung’aro, until the end of his two terms in 2032, after which they plan to pursue the top county seat.
“As the Chonyi people, we have our ambitions, and through unity, we will earn the respect and support needed to achieve them,” Madzayo said.
“We have supported our Giriama brothers for the top county seat since devolution started in 2013, and we will continue to do so until Governor Mung’aro completes his term. After that, we will seek their support for the top seat in 2032,” added Chonga.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro assured the gathering of his commitment to work closely with the new ACE leadership to foster development, not just in Chonyi Sub County but across Kilifi County.
“We have agreed that all the nine sub-tribes of the Mijikenda community should have councils of elders, just as Makwere mentioned, so that we can use them to unite our people,” Mung’aro said.
Beatrice Gambo, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader and a Mombasa politician, urged the Mijikenda community to unite and take control of Mombasa politics, noting that they make up 70 percent of the county’s population.
“We have started a movement in Mombasa, registering welfare of the Mijikenda subtribes. Through this, we can take control of Mombasa County politics,” Gambo said.
