Kenya Roads Board Chairperson Aisha Jumwa (left) and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi (Right ). 
By Ben Okweingoti
Kilifi County politics has taken a dramatic turn as local leaders hit back at Kenya Roads Board Chairperson Aisha Jumwa for her continued criticism of national and county government development initiatives.
Jumwa, who has increasingly used social media platforms and public gatherings—especially funerals—to launch attacks on elected leaders, has accused them of pursuing what she terms “misplaced priorities.”
Her sharp criticism has particularly targeted Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and President William Ruto’s flagship projects in the region, notably alienating her from national government leaders.
Among the projects she has taken issue with is the Sh2.3 billion Affordable Housing Programme and the construction of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) on a 20-acre parcel donated by Malindi High School earlier this year. The KMTC initiative was lobbied for by Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.
“Hon. Amina and Governor Mung’aro, you’re all quiet and have now moved to request land from Malindi High School for KMTC. We want to know who grabbed the original land meant for this project. The land still exists—I had already initiated the project when I was MP,” Jumwa claimed on her social media platforms.
According to school authorities, Malindi High School approved allocation of 10 acres for the housing programme and another 10 for the medical college.
Implementers of the project say the school will benefit from additional infrastructure investments worth over Sh180 million aimed at upgrading it to national status.
Tensions escalated further when Jumwa, while attending a funeral in Malindi—just a day after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, and several MPs launched a women empowerment programme at Lango Baya Primary School—questioned the distribution of funds meant for local women groups.
In response, MP Amina Mnyazi defended her handling of the funds, saying the money was disbursed at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Malindi due to security concerns.
“I have kept silent long enough, but Jumwa has been throwing tantrums and attacking every leader in the region. She thinks I’m a thief like her. She used to hold fundraisers during her tenure and disappeared with the money, leaving women with nothing,” said Mnyazi. “I operate transparently, unlike her. That’s why I invited women group leaders to the DCC’s office to receive the funds in an orderly and secure manner.”
Mnyazi also challenged Jumwa to list development projects she undertook while serving as Women Representative, Malindi MP, and later as Cabinet Secretary for Gender and Culture.
“She’s just jealous and power-hungry. She wants to be Governor but is obsessing over my parliamentary seat. Let her be clear about what she wants. She held powerful positions but has nothing tangible to show for them,” Mnyazi added.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya echoed the sentiments, accusing Jumwa of corruption.
“In 2023, when Ruto was still Deputy President, Aisha Jumwa vanished with Sh45 million meant for women empowerment in Kilifi County. At the time, she was the Women Representative. She also took off with funds intended for women in Ganze. Her conduct has angered even top Kenya Kwanza leaders,” said Baya.
As the war of words intensifies, it remains to be seen how the political storm in Kilifi will shape the region’s 2027 electoral landscape.
