Kaya elders allege plan to evict them from sacred shrines

The Mijikenda Kaya elders have criticised a section of political leaders for working in cahoots with private developers out to buy their sacred shrines in the coast region.

The elders said there were attempts by political leaders to convince them to sell the Kaya Mudzi Mwiru sacred shrines in the Rabai constituency to a developer.

Kaya Mudzi Mwiru, Kaya chairman, Daniel Garero, said elders have been evicted from some shrines or run away for fear of attacks or killed by land grabbers.

"The killing of elders with grey hair or eviction of elders from the forest is meant to make way for land grabbing," said Garero.

Garero said recently they rejected overtures from a business tycoon who approached them to sell him Kaya Mudzi-Mwiru in Rabai for Sh60 million.

"He offered me Sh60 million for the land to do development. This is a sacred forest that we cannot sell,’’ he said.

The chairman now wants the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and Kenya Forest Services (KFS) to intervene and reveal the people behind the matter.

“Kaya is a sacred forest among the Mijikenda people where elders do their traditional prayers. The centres deserve respect and protection from the state. In Rabai, about four Kayas whose lands have been grabbed,” he said.

He said Kayas hold cultural and spiritual significance in his tribe, adding that any attempts to sell them might bring curses and calamities to the community.

Garero said powerful people were eyeing the Kayas forest for development and have been using some politicians and educated youth in the community to convince them.

“We warn politicians and youth, who are being used by the tycoons, that we will not take part in any of your plans. Kaya forests are our cultural heritage, and any attempts at selling will, of course, cause calamities to the community,” said Garero.

Despite Kaya Bomu and Kaya Mudzi Mwiru, both in Rabai, being declared national monuments by the National Museums of Kenya, intruders have been targeting the lands for personal benefit.

Hare Mdigo Chivuto, a Kaya elder, said Kaya Mudzi Mwiru is not just a museum but a sacred place that holds the tradition of the Rabai community.

He warned that ancestors were unhappy, and if the deal seals off, the spirits will fight back ruthlessly.

“We are asking all those who are behind the deal to stop immediately. This is disrespecting the Kaya elders, and if they don’t, we will perform rituals for ancestors to deal with you,” said Chivuto.

Omar Munga Chembe, another Kaya elder, disclosed that the move is an attempt to reverse the gains made in protecting Kaya forests.

“We are calling for stronger protection measures for our natural resources within the Kayas because we have been actively participating in planting trees and raising awareness about the importance of Kaya forests. The destruction will undermine our cultural identity,” said Mzee Chembe.

The appeal to protect the Kayas reflects a larger dedication to preserving Kayas' cultural heritage and natural environment from persistent threats.

The elders have also asked the state to hasten the acquisition of title deeds to protect them from land grabbers and illegal logging.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), there are over 50 kayas in Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale.