Leadership dispute erupts among Western region community members in Likoni over planned harambee

A leadership dispute has emerged among members of the Western region community living in Likoni subcounty, Mombasa, with some leaders accusing a section of individuals of using community activities for personal gain.

The dispute centres on a planned harambee scheduled for Saturday, June 20, to which National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has been invited.

Reports indicate Wetang’ula is expected to donate a bus to the community.

However, members operating under the Obulala umbrella organisation say the harambee was organised by a small group of individuals whom they claim are not registered officials of any of the 20 community groups in the subcounty.

Obulala is an umbrella body that brings together different community groups in Likoni and is chaired by Joshua Makonjio.

Speaking during an Obulala meeting at Licodep in Likoni on Wednesday, Makonjio said members were frustrated by what they described as repeated exclusion from initiatives involving national leaders.

There are claims by Obulala leaders that some individuals have been using the community's name to invite national leaders while presenting themselves as representatives of the wider community.

“We know them and we are warning them. Desist!” said Makonjio, who is also chairman of Marama Welfare Society and secretary-general of the Western Region Communities Caucus (Wereca).

“We are tired of being used. We also want to get the benefits that come from our national leaders whenever they visit us in Mombasa,” he said.

Makonjio further alleged that a few individuals with close access to senior lawmaker have benefited disproportionately from engagements involving national leaders.

He also claimed that the organisers used the name and certificate of Salute (Sabaot, Luhya, Teso) CBO to invite Speaker Wetang’ula without the knowledge of the organisation's officials.

“We do not oppose Wetang’ula coming, but if he is coming, let him come for the benefit of the whole Mulembe nation and not just a few people.

“Why would someone use their access to political powers that be to influence a national leader to come to Mombasa without the members of the community that the individuals purport to represent knowing? They only come to know through rumours from third parties,” Makonjio said.

Bernard Panyako, who said he was previously part of the alleged group of individuals, said he left after becoming uncomfortable with how the harambee was being organised.

“I was secretary of that group. When I realised the whole harambee thing was a scheme to use the community name to earn some money from the leaders invited, I said I could not be part of the harambee that has been called for,” Panyako said.

He said the initiative risked dividing, rather than uniting, the community.

According to reports, Wetang’ula will be accompanied by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and Abdulswamad Nassir.

“All these people you see here are officials of all the 18 groups of the Luhya communities and two groups from the Sabaot and the Teso communities who are our brothers and sisters, and that is why together, the 20 groups make up Obulala,” Makonjio said.

He said the Western region community members in Likoni number slightly more than 10,000.

“We have received reports that in that June 20 harambee, purported to be a Western region communities meeting, there are other communities that have also been invited to shore up the numbers,” Makonjio said.

He said such actions could erode support for national leaders among members of their own communities.

“If the Speaker comes on this false invitation and our people are not invited, because we have not been invited, then we will jump ship to Edwin Sifuna,” Makonjio said.

“We want respect and we need to be consulted on anything concerning the Western region community living in Likoni,” he said.

Judith Mugara, who has lived in Likoni for more than 20 years, said some individuals were creating divisions within the community.

“We all need to be united. Without unity, we will forever be used to benefit individuals,” she said.

Samuel Ngome, secretary-general of Salute CBO, alleged that people had been falsely presenting themselves as officials of the organisation.

He urged national leaders wishing to support Western region communities living in Mombasa and Likoni to engage with officially registered leaders.

Wereca Likoni branch chair Milton Wanguche said all Luhya community groups in Likoni have faced challenges arising from individuals he described as taking advantage of community structures for personal interests.

He said this informed the decision to establish Obulala as an umbrella body to ensure all groups are represented and that a central committee handles matters affecting the Western region community in Likoni.

Apart from the Sabaot and the Teso communities, the 18 Luhya sub-groups represented include Bukusu, Maragoli, Batsotso, Bakhayo, Banyore, Tiriki, Kisa, Marama, Wanga, Tachoni, Isukha, Banyala ba Ndombi, Kabrasi, Samia, Marachi, Idakho, Banyala ba Busia and Bakhekhe.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

The Mulembe nation block in Likoni is solid, and that is why there is a scramble by leaders to court them ahead of the 2027 elections. Several political figures, both national and local, have been pushing to meet with the community for ‘talks’.