Luhya Community in Kilifi Unveils Initiative to Boost Political, Economic, and Social Opportunities

Members of the Luhya community residing in Kilifi County have launched an initiative aimed at positioning the community for political, economic and social opportunities in the coastal county.

According to organizers, the launch of the ‘OBUHAMBANI BWA ABALUHYA Umbrella Unity Group’ will enable them fight for power in the Kilifi County government and ensure that the community is included and consulted 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 chairman of the unity group 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 and 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,” he said.

Hi sentiments were echoed by Mr Wafula Masafu who said that going forward, Luhyas will have a strong voice in the political and economic sphere of the county arguing 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 on her part 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 Kilifi county and also work with the local indigenous community to offer inclusivity.

Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi thanked the Luhya community members 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.