Rich land owners behind secession push: Mwakwere

Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere on Thursday added a twist to the question of who is behind the coastal secessionist group Mombasa Republican Council (MRC).

The minister, who is also the MP for Matuga, where the group is active, claimed that the MRC is sponsored by large landowners at the Coast who fear they may lose their prized tracts when the leases expire.

The minister spoke as top leaders of MRC were hit with new charges of being members of an illegal gang. Read (MRC top officials in court, deny charges)

Speaking to local leaders during a peace forum at the Kwale County Hall, Mr Mwakwere said the MRC wave kicked-off after the new Constitution came in with promises of land reform.

“When the Constitution was voted in, the MRC was unknown, but immediately after, the movement started because some people who have 999-year-long leases were creating propaganda to have the leases extended,” he said.

Clearly aware of the implications of his revelation, the Matuga MP was quick to clarify that his statement was factual, and not incitement.

“These people are responsible for supplying our people with drugs and weapons so that after we die, they can be free to rule our land. Such people need to be investigated even as we take precautions not to be misused,” he said.

The minister noted that some leases would expire by March next year and such parcels, he said, should the be handed over.

He accused corrupt Lands ministry officials of allocating themselves land before their retirement.

“Let them return our land. Even if our problems will not have ended, we shall have reduced them,” Mr Mwakwere said as he asked area residents to be patient.

Internal Security minister Katoo ole Metito was in attendance of the meeting which was part of the measures by the government to crack down on the group that has led to dozens of deaths at the Coast.

For the past two weeks, the government has been hunting MRC members, with the group’s chairman Omar Hamisi Mwamnuadzi, secretary general Randu Nzai and Spokesman Mohamed Rashid Mraja all under arrest.

If Mr Mwakwere’s revelation is factual, it is then ironical that a group which has been fighting for rights of Coast people in land ownership, employment, education opportunities and development could be tools of other forces.

The minister’s statement came as Lands assistant minister Gonzi Rai announced that the government would issue 10,000 title deeds to Lamu residents in two weeks.

Northern Kenya and Arid Lands Minister Mohammed Elmi promised to facilitate local leaders with Sh2 million to preach peace.

On security, former Matuga MP Boi Juma Boi warned that suppression of certain individuals could not kill a doctrine, but would make it stronger.

Police commissioner Mathew Iteere asked his officers to conduct operations in a humane way.

Mr Metito promised to appoint a police boss to head the Msambweni area as part of measures to bring peace to a region rocked by insecurity.

At the Mombasa Law Courts, Mr Mwamnuadzi, Mr Nzai and Mr Mraja appeared before a Mombasa court and were each released on a Sh1 million bond with a surety of similar amount and the case was fixed for hearing on December 28.

MRC treasurer Suleiman Babu alias Bambam who has also been charged with the three had pleaded to the charge on Monday. He is out on a Sh1 million bond.

Defence lawyer Ananiah Mwaboza had earlier made an application to have his clients released on bail saying it was their constitutional right.

He also applied to be supplied with copies of witness statements and other documentary evidence the prosecution intends to rely on.

The prosecution did not object to the applications by the defence lawyer which were allowed by the court.

Last Friday, Mombasa chief magistrate Stephen Riechi issued a warrant of arrest against Messrs Babu, Nyae Ngao, Robert Charo, Salim Ali Goga and Salim Hamisi for failing to appear in court to answer to charges of being members of an unlawful society.