Raila renews MRC dialogue call

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has renewed his appeal to the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC)to abandon calls for secession of the Coast region.

The PM acknowledged that MRC could have arisen due to the historical injustices suffered since pre-independence days but stated that the solution to their issues was to engage in dialogue with the government.

He announced that he will soon appoint a taskforce that will engage all residents including the MRC saying the next government should not carry the baggage of unresolved issues countrywide.

The PM was speaking Saturday when he addressed a public rally at Kaliang'ombe in Rabai, Kilifi County to celebrate the election of the ODM councillor Dan Chibule in Kaliang'ombe ward.

Mr Odinga said the taskforce will also cover the issues that caused the recent flare up in the Tana Delta that pitted pastoralist communities against farmers resulting to over the death of over 100 people and destruction of property.

The PM, however, pointed out that some of the issues being raised in the Coast region including land, unemployment and infrastructure also affected northern Kenya had been addressed in the new Constitution.

Enemies of ODM

Mr Odinga dispelled fears that an ODM government will sack chiefs and district commissioners saying it was propaganda by enemies of the party.

He reminded Kenyans that the Constitution had stated categorically that the Provincial Administration will be restructured to conform with the new law saying that meant that chiefs and DCs will still exist but will work under governors.

"ODM has no intention of sacking any public servant who is performing their duties well, Kenyans should ignore this propaganda that is meant to tarnish the image of the party," said Mr Odinga.

The PM told Kenyans to be wary of enemies of the new Constitution out to frustrate their hopes and aspirations as envisaged in the document by derailing its implementation.

Noting that the Constitution has many powerful enemies, Mr Odinga said it was telling that County Commissioners were appointed against constitutional provisions.

"People who can disregard a court ruling outlawing these appointments and also ignore the Attorney General’s advise not to appeal against the ruling are indeed determined to have it their way. Electing such people into government will be endorsing business as usual,” he said.

Other speakers included ministers Amason Kingi, James Orengo and Anyang Nyong’o, assistant ministers Ramadhan Kajembe and Ali Hassan Joho and Malindi MP Gideon Mung’aro.

They said the election of Mr Chibule was a pointer to how the voting patterns will be in the area in the next General Election.