Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana and Adu ward MCA Samson Zia during ODM campaigns at Kathama primary school on Tuesday, November, 11, 2025. Photo by Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti, Kilifi County
ODM party leaders in Kilifi County have urged residents of Magarini Constituency to reject DCP candidate Stanley Kenga in the upcoming November 27 by-election, accusing his party leader Rigathi Gachagua of promoting tribal politics.
The leaders, who are rallying support for ODM’s Harrison Kombe, said electing Kenga would be a “betrayal” to the coastal community, claiming that Gachagua had previously declared that the Coast region had no stake in the Kenya Kwanza government.
Speaking during campaign rallies in Shakahola, Binzaro, Chakama, and Kathama areas of Magarini, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro criticized Gachagua, saying he had no capacity to deliver development to the region.
“Gachagua was Deputy President but was kicked out by the President. If he could not even marshal MPs to save himself from impeachment, how will he help the people of Magarini and Kilifi?” Mung’aro posed.
He further argued that supporting Gachagua’s candidate would be meaningless since the DCP party leader was no longer in government and was instead focused on his own 2027 political ambitions.
At the same time, Mung’aro and other ODM leaders called on the national government to urgently address the growing elephant menace in Kilifi County, which they said has worsened poverty levels due to widespread crop destruction.
“The elephants have caused massive losses in Magarini, Ganze, and Kaloleni sub-counties. The President told me funds will be sought to fence the park, but before that, KWS rangers should be stationed in villages to repel the elephants,” Mung’aro said.
Adu Ward MCA Reuben Zia echoed the concerns, warning that residents might be forced to take matters into their own hands if the government fails to act.
“If they don’t deal with these elephants, let them not blame us when we take action to protect our farms,” he said.
Residents called for a lasting solution to the elephant invasions, saying they have endured years of losses and hunger due to the destruction of their crops.
