KILIFI, Kenya-Dec 22, 2025- The call for unity among the Mijikenda people is steadily gathering momentum, with leaders from across the community rallying behind a renewed, people-driven process anchored on culture, heritage and collective welfare.
Eminent persons, professionals, traditional leaders, youth, religious leaders and women drawn from the nine Mijikenda tribes have united behind a fresh push for cohesion, culminating in a major unity meeting scheduled for December 26 in Vishakani, Kilifi County.
In preparation for the gathering, an organizing committee representing all the nine Mijikenda tribes toured the proposed venue in Kaloleni Vishakani, a site of deep historical significance as the final resting place of veteran politician and nationalist Ronald Gideon Ngala, who died in 1972, aged 49 years.
During the visit, the delegation inspected the meeting grounds and paid tribute at Ngala’s mausoleum in a ceremony conducted with the blessings of his last-born son, Paul Kadenge Ngala. Speaking during the visit, Paul Kadenge Ngala welcomed the choice of the site, saying it symbolised unity and the values his father stood for.
“This place represents the ideals of unity, equality and justice that my father believed in. It is fitting that the Mijikenda people are coming together here to reflect on their shared future,” he said.
Organisers emphasized that the unity drive is non-political, with a firm focus on social cohesion, cultural preservation and economic empowerment across the community.
According to the Chonyi Council of Elders Chairperson, Raphael Mwangala, the process is deliberately inclusive, with each of the nine Mijikenda tribes-all officially recognized by the government as distinct tribes – represented in the organising committee through their respective council chairpersons.
“This structure ensures consensus, inclusivity and ownership. The unity we seek must come from the people themselves, guided by culture and mutual respect,” Mwangala said.
The choice of Vishakani was also described as a tribute to Ronald Ngala’s enduring legacy as an educator, independence leader and a key proponent of majimboism, minority rights and equitable development at the Coast and across Kenya.
Local residents, including neighbor Alex Kazungu, said the meeting had already sparked renewed interest in community dialogue and cultural pride in the area.
Over 5,000 people are expected to attend the December 26 gathering, which will feature traditional dances and cultural performances from across the nine Mijikenda tribes.
Organisers say the event is an open invitation to all Mijikenda people, describing it as a defining moment to reaffirm unity, shared heritage and a collective path forward.
