Photo by Ben Okweingoti. 
By Ben Okweingoti
Kaya elders from Kaya Fungo Giriama in Kaloleni Sub-County, Kilifi County, have traded accusations over alleged “brokers” whom they claim are facilitating the destruction of the 500-acre sacred forest.
A section of the elders accused some of their colleagues of being manipulated by politicians and wealthy individuals seeking to facilitate the destruction and possible grabbing of the culturally significant forest.
However, other elders dismissed the allegations, insisting that there were no brokers within the Kaya and attributing the destruction to a few unemployed youths illegally accessing the forest and cutting down trees.
Despite the differences, both sides agreed on the need to protect Kaya Fungo Giriama, which they regard as an important cultural and spiritual heritage for the Giriama community and future generations.
Former councillor and Kaya youth leader Fernand Nyale alleged that some elders who do not reside within the forest had colluded with three county askaris to facilitate illegal logging.
“We’ve decided to tell the world that the destruction taking place in this sacred forest is being spearheaded by some brokers masquerading as Kaya elders in collaboration with county askaris who do not want to cooperate with elders who reside in the shrines,” Nyale said.
He claimed that nearly two-thirds of the forest had already been destroyed by loggers and called for urgent intervention to protect the remaining trees.
Nyale said the forest was among the few remaining treasures of the Giriama people and should be protected from individuals seeking to undermine the community’s customs and traditions.
“This sacred forest should be protected at all costs. It is shocking that the Giriama have lost almost everything and that the only remaining treasure is the Kaya forest, which should be protected jealously,” he said.
Karisa Kimosho also accused alleged brokers of using their links with politicians to facilitate the degradation of the forest.
“The brokers have been taking money from politicians and allowing the forest to be disgraced and destroyed. My prayer is that we should protect the forest for future generations,” Kimosho said.
However, Kaya Youth Leader Nguma Charo rejected claims that brokers were operating within Kaya Fungo Giriama, saying the allegations should not be confused with the actions of a few unemployed youths.
“Customs and traditions cannot be mixed with brokerage, but we accept that some jobless youths are taking advantage of the vast forest to cut trees illegally. We don’t have brokers in the Kaya,” Charo said.
Charo called for the preservation of the forest and respect for Giriama customs and traditions, even as he acknowledged the need to address illegal activities within the sacred site.
The Chairman of Kaya Fungo Giriama elders, Katana Yaa, sought to downplay the apparent differences among the elders, saying they were conducting traditional sacrifices to seek the intervention of their ancestors.
He said the elders were praying for the “bad spirits” allegedly attempting to divide the community to be driven away.
“We don’t have differences among these people here, and we don’t have war or divisions amongst us,” Yaa said.
The conflicting accounts have nevertheless raised concerns over the protection and management of Kaya Fungo Giriama, with elders calling for concerted efforts to safeguard the sacred forest from further degradation.
For the community, the Kaya remains more than a forest, serving as an important symbol of Giriama culture, traditions and spiritual heritage that elders say must be preserved for generations to come.
