Kaya elders endorse Witness Tsuma as Coast peace ambassador

A section of Kaya elders from Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa counties have endorsed Maendeleo ya Wanawake Kilifi chairperson Witness Tsuma as the Coast peace ambassador, urging residents and political leaders to support her new role.

The endorsement comes ahead of the August 2027 General Election, with the elders expressing concern over what they described as rising political hostility, economic challenges and social instability in the region.

Led by Mijikenda Kaya elders’ chairpersons Kasim Mnyeto of Kwale and Salim Matojo of Kilifi, the elders said Tsuma was best placed to bring together leaders and communities across political, religious and social divides.

They accused some politicians of using insults and exploiting vulnerable young people to cause chaos and intimidate political opponents.

“We don’t take sides and we don’t do politics. We have crowned our daughter so that she can unite us in culture, religion and government. We rebuke any vices such as incitement to violence and, as we head to the elections, we pray that we have peace,” one of the elders said.

Tsuma welcomed the endorsement, saying she was ready to take up the responsibility and work with people across the region to promote peace.

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“I want to thank the elders for visiting and crowning me as the peace ambassador. The elders have given me the Amani name, and I will walk with the young and old, rich and poor, and people living with disabilities to ensure that peace prevails in our region,” she said.

She also announced plans to spearhead the formation of a regional social, political and economic platform aimed at addressing poverty and improving the welfare of Coast residents.

Tsuma said the initiative would seek to give the region a common voice and strengthen its ability to advocate for the interests of its people.

“We also want to be heard, and in 2032 we are going to walk under one vehicle so that we can command respect and protect our people from poverty and slavery,” she added.

The elders’ endorsement places Tsuma at the centre of a proposed regional peace-building effort as political activity gathers momentum ahead of the next General Election.