Grassroots women and youth leaders from the coast region have welcomed their inclusion in the Umwenga Wehu Association, terming the move a major step toward unity and inclusive development among the Mijikenda community.
The association, unveiled on December 26, 2025, brings together all the nine Mijikenda tribes including Giriama, Chonyi, Kauma, Kambe, Digo, Ribe, Rabai, Duruma, and Jibana, with the aim of advancing political, social, and economic interests across the coast region.
Speaking during a meeting held in Mtwapa municipality, Kilifi County, Dr. Luciana Swazua, a representative of Mombasa women in the association, said the initiative offers women a platform to participate meaningfully in leadership and development.
Swazua noted that Mijikenda women have historically remained excluded from decision-making spaces, despite forming a large segment of the population.
She said the association seeks to nurture women’s aspirations in education, leadership and economic empowerment.
She observed that development benefits in the region have often been controlled by a few individuals, leaving the wider community marginalized.
According to Swazua, Umwenga Wehu aims to ensure equitable access to opportunities for women, children, and families across all Mijikenda communities.
Youth leader, Jacinta Mbeyu, said the association intends to focus on practical economic interventions, including value addition to local resources.
She cited palm wine production, minerals, and marine resources as untapped opportunities which, if properly managed, would improve livelihoods across the Coast.
Mbeyu said previous leadership structures failed to address development from a collective Mijikenda perspective.
Human rights defender, Victor Kaudo Mtetezi expressed concern over continued fragmentation within the Mijikenda community, six decades after independence.
Mtetezi said the formation of Umwenga Wehu followed a year-long consultative process, aimed at building unity.
He explained that the community appointed Chirau Ali Makwere as spokesperson due to his experience in public service, including roles as a Member of Parliament, Cabinet minister, and ambassador.
He said the association does not seek to endorse political parties or individuals, but to advocate for land rights, food security, and equitable development across the six coastal counties, which he noted remain resource-rich yet economically disadvantaged.
On her part, Emily Maendeleo, welcomed the initiative, saying a united voice would strengthen the community’s ability to negotiate for development, adding unity would enable fair distribution of resources among all nine Mijikenda groups.
She said other communities have advanced through collective advocacy.
Halima Suleiman Mohammed from Rabai Sub-county urged Mijikenda youth to join and support the association, saying their participation was critical to its success, while Maridhia Omar from Kaloleni Sub-county, compared Umwenga Wehu to regional associations such as GEMA, noting their effectiveness in championing community interests.
Omar called on leaders opposed to the association to seek clarity on its objectives, instead of spreading misinformation, saying unity remained central to addressing long-standing challenges facing the Mijikenda community.
By Sitati Reagan
