Kaloleni MP says Kenya should remain a united country

Coast Parliamentary Group chairman and Kaloleni MP Gunga Mwinga addresses the press when he paid a courtesy call to Haki Africa in Mombasa May 13, 2016. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • On Tuesday, MRC deputy spokesman Richard Lewa said the group had not changed its “Pwani si Kenya” (Coast is not part of Kenya) stance and called for negotiations with the government.

  • The MRC’s insistence on secession came after the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court decision to lift a six-year ban on the group on Monday.

Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gunga Mwinga has differed with Mombasa Republican Council’s (MRC's) leaders on their stand on secession, saying Kenya should remain a united country.

On Tuesday, MRC deputy spokesman Richard Lewa said the group had not changed its “Pwani si Kenya” (Coast is not part of Kenya) stance and called for negotiations with the government.

The MRC’s insistence on secession came after the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court decision to lift a six-year ban on the group on Monday.

On Wednesday, Mr Gunga, the Kaloleni MP, said that the coastal region is a part of Kenya.

“My opinion is that the Coast should continue being part of Kenya,” he said. “We should remain as one people.”

The CPG chairman said some of the issues that the MRC had been fighting for were being addressed by the devolved system of government. He called on the group to consult with political leaders and residents rather than pushing for secession without the involvement of local communities.

BE DIFFICULT

He said that unless the MRC did that, it would be difficult for them to achieve their goals.

“The CPG’s leadership is ready and willing to dialogue with the group and listen to their grievances,” said Mr Gunga. “We welcome any idea that will build the Coast region.”

He, however, said MRC members were Kenyan citizens with constitutional rights, and that any genuine grievances should be addressed.

Mr Gunga said his Kadu-Asili party was willing to hold talks with MRC officials as part of efforts to address their issues.

However, MRC secretary-general Randu Nzai Ruwa said that since the ban had been lifted, they would push for a referendum on secession.

Mr Ruwa said the MRC wanted the government to direct the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a referendum at the Coast so that residents can determine the matter.

“It is important for the coastal people to be given a chance to decide whether they want an independent region or to be part of Kenya,” he said.