Members of the Kamba, Kikuyu, Waatha and Luo communities join the Mijikenda community in celebrating this year’s Chenda Chenda festival at Pwani University grounds in Kilifi town, Kilifi County. Photo by Ben Okweingoti. 
By Ben Okweingoti
The annual Mijikenda Chenda Chenda Festival at Pwani University Grounds in Kilifi County took on a new face this year as communities from upcountry joined the coastal tribes in showcasing their traditions, turning the event into a vibrant display of unity in diversity.
Traditionally a preserve of the nine Mijikenda sub-tribes — Giriama, Chonyi, Kauma, Kambe, Ribe, Rabai, Duruma, Jibana, and Digo — the festival has steadily evolved to embrace other communities such as the Waata, Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, and Kamba, many of whom have called Kilifi home for decades.
Residents and leaders hailed the inclusivity as a milestone in promoting cohesion, particularly among the younger generation who were born and raised in Kilifi.
Hamisi Matano, a Giriama youth from Ganze, underscored the importance of cultural education in shaping values and protecting youth from harmful foreign influences.
“As Gen Z, we grew up together with our peers from different tribes. Including them in the festival recognizes them as part of Kilifi. But beyond this, we must invest in teaching our youth culture so that they understand morals and resist foreign practices like gayism and lesbianism,” he said.
His views were echoed by Lucy Wamboi from the Kikuyu community, who urged the county government to continue creating avenues where young people could engage in safe cultural practices that strengthen identity and values.
“Most of us have lived here for over 30 years. We thank the county for involving us in these festivals, which help us pass traditions to our youth for a morally upright society and peaceful coexistence,” she said.
Mrs. Margaret Nzioka of the Kamba community noted that inclusivity in cultural, social, and educational activities has helped cement harmony among Kilifi residents.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, his Deputy Flora Chibule, and hundreds of residents graced the occasion, using the platform to call for unity and cautioning against divisive politics.
Mung’aro reaffirmed his commitment to complete ongoing and stalled projects to uplift the county, while Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs praised the Mijikenda community for maintaining cohesion and pledging continued government support.
The festival, held every September 9th, continues to stand as a symbol of cultural pride, peace, and the shared responsibility of safeguarding the youth against negative external influences through cultural education.
