History is about to be written in Kilifi’s thrilling exploration of the most famous battles in this local political arena. It’s a battle that will tell a story of bravery, strategy, and decisions that will likely change the course of Kilifi’s political history.
Packed with gripping yarn of two titans-each with extraordinary experiences, manageable-challenges and potentials, this tract is perfect for any reader in love of antics in political competitions. Two political heavyweights in Kilifi County will square up for the coveted Gubernatorial seat. Kilifi Observers say the 2027 Gubernatorial election, no doubt, will be a battle of two titans.
This a distinctive journey of Kilifi’s 2027 Titanomachy-serving as the famous rivalries in Kilifi’s devolution history where two horses are believed to be battle ready.
One being Kilifi Incumbent Governor Gideon Mung’aro and the other is Kenya Roads Chairperson and former Gender CS, Aisha Jumwa.
Obviously, when the election is won and lost, two contestants will either be heavily bruised and battered. Apart from political gains, the gubernatorial election has much to do with devolution power, ego and esteem as the seat (once won) serves as the apex of Kilifi political power.
In regard to their political skillfulness, both have it. They both started politics as councilors in 1997. When Aisha was the Kilifi Council Chairlady, Mung’aro was the mayor of Malindi. They both served two terms as councilors.
In 2007, they both vied for MP positions, Mung’aro vied for Malindi while Aisha vied for Bahari Constituency. Aisha lost to Bennedict Gunda.
On the other hand Mung’aro won against Lucas Maitha. In 2013, Aisha went for women rep while mungaro vied for kilifi North. They both won in their respective positions and met at 11th Parliament of Kenya.
In 2017, Aisha went for malindi MP as mungaro decided to take over Governors position. Though he failed against kingi, Mungaro became CAS in uhuru government. Aisha became Malindi MP after ousting Willy Mtengo who had been elected through a by-election 2 years ago.
In 2022, they met in the same ballot box as governorship contenders. Though miraculously, the IEBc officer in charge, declared Mung’aro as the winner. Aisha became a CS in Rutos government and now Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board.
The two slightly share some aspect of political experience making 2027 a defining moment for both of them. Aisha having failed twice in her political history, Mung’aro has failed once.
Aisha failed in 2007 and 2022. Mungaro failed in 2017. Now, Aisha is fighting to equalize by making sure Mung’aro fails for the second time.
Born 28 March 1975, Aisha Jumwa Karisa Katana is the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Gender and the current Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board.
She previously served as a Member of Parliament representing Malindi Constituency in Kilifi County and Commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) from 2017 to 2022.
She also served as the Woman Representative for Kilifi County from 2013 to 2017, and as councilor for Takaungu Ward from 1997 to 2007.
While Maitha Gideon Mung’aro is the current governor of Kilifi County. He was elected to represent Malindi in 2007 and then Kilifi North Constituency in the 2013 parliamentary election. He was the chairman of the African Union Parliamentary Group.
He was also the chief whip and a member of the Parliamentary House Business Committee (Housekeeping), Committee on Selection (Housekeeping) and the Lands Committee (Departmental). He is also a former mayor of Malindi.
The inevitability of a political bloodbath for elected leaders in the 2027 General Election is undeniable. The growing anti-government sentiments largely stem from the leaderships’ failure to fulfill 2022 promises.
This failure is evident both at the national level and within devolved government units. Mung’aro’s failures are not exceptional.
Mung’aro in power today thinks the formation of a broad-based government has quelled the revolutionary spirit, but the reality is different. This shift at the grassroots level poses a huge threat to Mung’aro and Aisha is privy to this.
As political realignments takes shape along the Coast, one figure cannot be ignored. Mining CS Hassan Joho is crafting his 2027 strategy to maintain his political influence in the region.
Joho is reportedly extending his influence into Kilifi Gubernatorial succession, where he supports Aisha Jumwa. Joho was recently the chief guest at Jumwa’s thanksgiving event, a role many expected Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro to take.
The thanksgiving ceremony saw key political figures gravitate towards the Jumwa-Joho camp, among them Sports CS and former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, Lamu Governor Timamy, Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika, Tana River Senator Danston Mungatana, and Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako.
Then we have the ever-silent Senate Speaker Amason Kingi whose amity with the current county regime was poisoned by Mung’aro’s people.
On September 9, 2024, part of Munga’ro handlers frustrated the Current Speaker in Kayafungo during the ChendaChenda event. Remember, Kingi was invited by Aisha in this event she co-hosted with the Kilifi Governor.
Kingi is a schemer whose influence in Kilifi 2027 succession (gubernatorial) cannot be ignored. With a party (PAA) with 2 MPs and over 20 MCAs.
Well endowed with resources, Kingi will not sit and watch others navigate the county’s succession affairs. He will assert his influence as Kingi. But it’s not clear whether he will support Aisha or source another candidate for his party.
Already, Current Governor Mung’aro, without much ado, has cornered his hopes for Orange Democratic Party ticket.
With the ticket, Munga’ro believes to secure his re-election. But as far as this 2027 Kilifi Gubernatorial Race is concerned, Aisha Jumwa is not blinking.
For the last one year, Aisha is slowly shaping an alternative insights into the broader themes of Kilifi democracy, leadership, and the indomitable spirit of Kilifi people determined to forge their own path through pro-people leadership. This is simply communicated through the #BahaJumwa narrative slowly transforming as a #BahaJumwa Movement.
Recent media reports vividly portrays the challenges and triumphs of the Mung’aro’s administration that is gradually attracting widespread feeling of dissatisfaction by the masses all over the county. The recent report by the Office of the Auditor General mirrors Mung’aro’s regime as corrupt in the critical eyes of Kilifi People.
Despite his unholy alliance with his party ODM, executive failings, slip-ups and governance missteps, the poor-performing governor’s re-election fortuity keeps dwindling day after day.
This makes the 2027 gubernatorial contest have some interesting twist, especially in view of the questionable incumbent performance.
Even though Mung’aro is banking on the support of his Party ODM, it is obvious that the will of the people will be allowed to prevail thus making this election this time around different from what it used to be in the past.
This is reducing the uncertainties over how the August, 2027, gubernatorial election will go in Kilifi County.
The time of reckoning, they say, is indeed here with us.
Very true annalistic but with George kithi in the ballot, it gives mung’aro upper hand to be re-elected for second term….