Kenya's secessionist group on a mission to meet the Queen
A group seeking to secede Kenya's coastal region from the country's mainland now wants to meet the Queen of Britain to petition her over land grievances dating back to the colonial era.
The outlawed Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) plans to send a delegation to Queen Elizabeth II in June to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration.
The group, rallying under the banner pwani si Kenya (the Coast is not part of Kenya), complains of land dispossession and marginalisation by successive post-independence governments in Kenya.
MRC secretary general Randu Nzai said the group's officials will liaise with the UK High Commissioner in Kenya before the planned visit to facilitate issuance of visas.
“MRC has reached this decision to send a delegation to the British government and issue the Queen with a memorandum on their grievances on historical injustices and secession," said Mr Nzai.
“We want to take the treaties (signed with the British colonial government) in our possession to the Queen and state the case of the historical injustices that the coast region has suffered since independence, “ he said.
Mr Nzai said the planned meeting with the Queen will not discuss issues that are before the Kenyan court.
“The issue of being outlawed will not be part of our agenda with the Queen unless she decides to ask MRC on the issue. This matter can be handled by the courts. The emphasis is secession,” Mr Nzai said.
MRC spokesman Mohammed Rashid Mraja said the group's officials are currently seeking an appointment with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. They want any date during the month-long jubilee celebrations.
“We want to have an official appointment with the Queen in Britain so that our presence will not disrupt her programmes during the historic moment," he said.
Mr Mraja alleged that the Kenyan government had selected proxy members of the group to accompany the official delegation to attend the celebrations.
“MRC has information that discussions are being for the movement to stop its stand on secession and continue to belong to the Kenya government, “he said.
On the trip, Mr Mraja added that the groups officials are raising funds to facilitate the tour to Britain.
“So far, MRC plans to send the national officials but in the event funds become a constraint then our lawyer will go instead," he said.
