Waata community in Kilifi County has formed a council of elders to champion its interests in the devolved unit and fight for recognition as an indigenous Kenyan ethnic community, complete with a registration code.The council was unveiled at a brief ceremony held at the Magarini Cultural Centre in Magarini Sub County over the weekend following elections held in the month of July, 2024 in all four sub-counties of Kilifi where the minority community has a presence: Magarini, Kilifi North, Malindi, and Ganze.Waata community in Kilifi County has formed a council of elders to champion its interests in the devolved unit and fight for recognition as an indigenous Kenyan ethnic community, complete with a registration code.The council was unveiled at a brief ceremony held at the Magarini Cultural Centre in Magarini Sub County over the weekend following elections held in the month of July, 2024 in all four sub-counties of Kilifi where the minority community has a presence: Magarini, Kilifi North, Malindi, and Ganz e.Mr. Philip Wario, the Kilifi County Chief Officer for Livestock Development, who hails from the community, lauded the formation of the council, saying that for the community to progress, it was imperative that its members form a united front.He pledged to work with the council of elders to ensure the interests of the community are taken care of in the county government of Kilifi.Samson Bashora said there was a need for the community to be represented at the County Assembly of Kilifi and the County Executive Committee for it to feel it is properly recognised and cherished in the county.Ms. Ginora Aliwa Abajila, the newly elected treasurer, said despite the community doing its best to educate its children, lack of employment was discouraging the effort.She also called for land rights for the Waata community, noting that although it was an indigenous community, its members do not own land ownership documents.Historically, the Waata were hunters and gatherers, renowned for their hunting skills, but their lifestyle has been significantly impacted by new hunting policies and modern socio-economic pressures that have forced many of them to adopt farming and other forms of employment.Despite numerous challenges and near assimilation into larger communities, the Waata have managed to preserve many of their cultural and traditional practices, including a distinct language.Source: Kenya News Agency
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