Police map MRC strongholds

• Area police boss Aggrey Adoli said intelligence teams, working with the public, had established areas used by the secessionist group as training, oathing and logistics bases.
• Mr Adoli said several members of the group had been arrested during the operation in various parts of the region and prosecuted.
• In their crackdown, police have been combing among other areas kaya forests and houses belonging to suspected MRC officials used for illegal meetings and military training.

Security agencies have mapped the Mombasa Republican Council’s strongholds as the crackdown against the group’s members across Coast region intensifies.

Area police boss Aggrey Adoli said intelligence teams, working with the public, had established areas used by the secessionist group as training, oathing and logistics bases.

“We are moving to every place being used by MRC and other associated elements for their illegal activities. We have identified logistics points across the region.”

Mr Adoli said several members of the group had been arrested during the operation in various parts of the region and prosecuted.

“Our intelligence teams have unmasked many illegal activities being carried out by MRC, including training and assembling youth into criminal gangs,” he said.

The Coast police boss added: “Our agents have infiltrated all the areas, and we have deployed our intelligence officers, who have picked one MRC member after another. We will definitely catch up with all of them.” (READ: Kibaki vows to crush MRC)

In their crackdown, police have been combing among other areas kaya forests and houses belonging to suspected MRC officials used for illegal meetings and military training.

These places are in Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa, among other counties in the region.

Changamwe district commissioner Douglas Mutahi cited Mikombani, Miritini Railways and Mamlai as some of the MRC strongholds. He warned residents against being swayed by the group.

“We caution those planning to cause violence that they shall be dealt with and we urge parents to advise their children not to be involved in violence,” said Mr Mutahi during Mashujaa Day celebrations.