Political leaders from Kilifi county have said they will not support Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in the 2022 General Election. Led by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, they accused the party of humiliating leaders from the region.
Speaking during the burial of Mzee Justus Mwanyanje, father of Kilifi Woman Rep Getrude Mbeyu at Rojo village in Kilifi town, Baya revealed that they had started a campaign to unite the Mijikenda community and the entire Coast region ahead of the poll.
Their sentiments came a day after Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa snatched a microphone from ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna as he addressed mourners in Kilifi on Friday during Mombasa Deputy Governor William Kingi’s father’s burial.
When Sifuna started to speak, Jumwa, who was the master of ceremony, walked to the stage and grabbed the microphone from him, accusing him of “talking politics during a funeral”.
Baya said leaders have had enough from ODM and were now forging unity for the region to decide as a block in 2022. He said they are now looking for ways to unite the community to map their political future as a block going forward.
Baya said leaders from other regions have long misused the Mijikenda community.
Others present were Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, MPs Michael Kingi (Magarini), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), William Kamoti (Rabai),Teddy Mwambire (Ganze), Nominated Senator Christine Zawadi, among others.
Kaloleni MP Paul Katana said time had come the region to be included in the national politics ahead of 2022 saying that as leaders they shall make sure the region’s unity is attained.