The radical world of the MRC

MRC founder member and secretary-general Randu Nzai Ruwa (centre) in the Shanzu Law Courts, Mombasa, where he was charged with incitement to violence and disobedience of the law. The charges stated that he was found with a white T-shirt with the words ‘Pwani si Kenya, MRC, Nchi Mpya Maisha Mapya’. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU
MRC founder member and secretary-general Randu Nzai Ruwa (centre) in the Shanzu Law Courts, Mombasa, where he was charged with incitement to violence and disobedience of the law. The charges stated that he was found with a white T-shirt with the words ‘Pwani si Kenya, MRC, Nchi Mpya Maisha Mapya’. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU  
By PATRICK MAYOYO pmayoyo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Monday, October 15  2012 at  01:00
In Summary. Unlike earlier Mombasa groups that were set up to intimidate the opposition during the days of Kanu, MRC is bent on detaching the region from Kenya and all signs are that it means business The Mombasa Republican Council has been agitating for the secession of Coast region for the past two or three years.It was not associated with violence until the attack on Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials conducting a mock election in Malindi. The message was that the group would not allow elections in Coast Province because it considers the region a separate entity from the Republic of Kenya.A fortnight ago, Fisheries Minister Amason Kingi was attacked at Mtwapa, Kilifi County. Four people, including the minister’s bodyguard, were killed. Retired Industrial Court judge Steward Madzayo, who wants to contest the senator’s seat in Kilifi County, was injured during the incident.
Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito says the government will “deal firmly” with such groups. Mr Francis Kimemia, the acting head of the civil service, has issued a similar warning.
Last week, seven leaders of the secessionist group were arrested and charged before a Mombasa court with incitement to violence.
Among them were MRC spokesman Mohamed Mraja and branch officials Ali Mbwana Mwatete and Ali Juma. The others were Mr Oma Gwashe of Kilifi, Mr Hassan Mbwana Mwanguza, Mr Ali Hassan Ngome, and Mr Said Jadi Mwachaunga, all of Kwale.
Mr Mbwana and Mr Juma separately denied the incitement charge.
Three High Court judges ruled in July that the Kenya Gazette notice that outlawed the MRC was unconstitutional. Judges John Mwera, Mary Kasango, and Francis Tuiyott said the State had failed to demonstrate that the ban was justifiable and proportionate.
In August, Attorney-General Githu Muigai appealed against the ruling. The orders were sought on grounds that soon after the court decision, members of the Mombasa Republican Council engaged in criminal activity by releasing leaflets in public places and making alarming statements in the electronic and print media inimical to peace and security in the Coast region.
According to the application, one of the MRC statements is to the effect that the secessionists would not register as a political party, as recommended by the court. Another statement was that the 2013 elections would not be allowed to take place in the Coast Province.
On Tuesday, Internal Security and Provincial Administration assistant minister Alfred Khangati told Parliament that the government had identified the financiers of MRC and was watching them.
Mr Khangati said the government had noted that suspected MRC adherents were always bailed out by certain wealthy people when they were arrested.
Other reports indicate that foreign forces could be involved in bankrolling MRC activities.
MRC is not the first proscribed group to cause a storm at the Coast. The trend can be traced to the agitation for multi-partyism in the 1990s when the unregistered Islamic Party of Kenya (IPK), led by controversial Muslim preacher Sheikh Khalid Balala, was formed. Several groups were set up to counter IPK, which supported multi-partyism.
To counter the challenge against then President Daniel Moi’s government, Kanu leaders from different parts of the country launched a series of rallies to agitate for a majimbo system of government as a strategy to counter opposition leaders’ call for multi-partyism.
At the Coast, the majimbo rallies were led by then Kanu politician Shariff Nassir and political activist Emmanuel Maitha.
Majimboism or federalism is an emotive issue at the Coast. Calls for this system of government were started by Coast political kingpin Ronald Ngala of the Kenya African Democratic Union (Kadu) before independence.
The Coast enjoyed a brief era of regional autonomy before the Kenyatta administration brought regional governments to their knees by simply denying them money.
Source: Daily Nation