The annual Chenda Chenda festival held in Kilifi County on Monday turned chaotic as supporters of Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro clashed with supporters of former CS Aisha Jumwa.

The festival which is meant to unite the Mijikenda community and foster peace took a wrong turn after both the county government of Kilifi and Jumwa claimed hosting rights of the event which was held at Kayafungo in Kaloleni.

The two teams each pitched tents at the same venue.

Chaos started when Kaloleni MP Paul Katana invited Jumwa to address the gathering.

When she stood, a group of rowdy youths started to shout her down and even pelted sticks and water bottles at her.

“Paul Katana, please talk to your youths and cool them down if you want me to address this,” said Jumwa before returning to her seat.

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As this happened, dignitaries, including trade CS Salim Mvurya, Ganze MP Kenneth Kazungu, Kilifi woman MP Getrude Mbeyu, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, and Kilifi County Assembly speaker Teddy Mwambire, occupied the main dais, which had been pitched by the county government of Kilifi.

The team however shifted to the raised dais that the Jumwa team had pitched.

Governor Mung’aro had a rough time cooling down the youths to give a chance to CS Mvurya to deliver his address.

Senate speaker Amason Kingi and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir joined the dignitaries.

Kingi’s address was cut short after the microphones were switched off forcing Kingi, Jumwa and Mvurya to storm out of the event.

During the clashes, a group of youths put sand in the food that had been prepared for the festival.

The Chenda chenda festival is being celebrated on September 9th

it is organized by the Kaya elders.