Legit...
The
residents of Qwale broke out the champagne/Mnazi (palm wine) earlier in the
week-or they would have if they drank-as their long fought for goal was
attained when the ban that had been placed on the group illegalizing it was
finally lifted by the courts in Mombasa. The party members then proceed to
loudly celebrate their ‘victory’ on the steps of the Mombasa law courts. The
three high court judges who struck out the gazette notice that termed the group
illegal said they were doing so because there was no evidence that group had
participated in acts of violence and instead implored the members to form
themselves into a political party or a social one from whence they can push for
their agenda peacefully.
The now legitimized group’s euphoria was
too early in coming as the judges cautioned the group that any sort of violence
would not be tolerated and that hate speech and propaganda would also be
unacceptable. It seemed that the group whose primary motivation is to secede and-
in their view- liberate the coastal strip from what they say is prejudice from
the government were at a disadvantage because if they were indeed to follow the
conditions laid down by the judges they would have to repackage or worse shelve
their agenda.
So when the group’s members filled joyfully
back into the streets they were more determined than ever to continue bull
headedly with their only agenda since inception: to-unwisely-extricate the
coastal strip from the rest or the nation for what they could term as the persistent
turning of a blind eye to the issues that are important to a section of coastal
people. MRC was one of 32 illegal sects in the country and one cannot help but
wonder whether the other 30+ will now see it fitting to take a page out of the
councils play book and march their displeasure before the mercy of the justice
systems, eager to be legitimized.
This decision by the court has drawn sharp
restrictions and warning from some sections of government who say time and
again that they are open to talks with the group on anything and everything but
their secession agenda-well that defeats their purpose because that’s their key
raison d’exsistance-adding that this legalisation was not a free pass to
engaging in illegal acts.
In what is sure to morph itself into a
vigorous tug of war between state and sect with each side sticking to its side
of the line with each pulling and advocating for their very specific agenda: the
MRC are still adamant that they can succeed without Kenya, and ministers like
Eugene Wamalwa rigidly standing their ground by stating that: ‘If we have a
group at the coast that will endanger tourists and other Kenyans living at the
coast, that is a group that we must fight to ensure that they are not allowed
to achieve their objectives’. With each picking their side and watching the
other intently for even the slightest misstep there are who have found or positioned themselves
strategically slap bang in the middle by advocating that both sides need to
hear each other out and come to a mutually beneficial resolution the PM is sure
to be seen as neither friend nor foe-a move that some would consider prudent
especially as this is an election year, a time when alienation of anyone people
or community could prove costly.
As the PM made statements in favour of
mutual dialogue-saying that the government ‘must be prepared to dialogue with
other people’- the acting Internal Security minister Yusuf Haji had a take no
prisoners warning for the newly legalized group to watch their step or risk
being out in the cold, saying: “If MRC regard this decision as a carte blanch
to lawlessness, then they are on their own. The court cannot mute respondents
from exercising their constitutionally ordained obligation of ensuring security
for all Kenyans” He also advised that the government should talk and consult
with coastal leaders and not just individuals and groups over the MRC’s demands”
Haji’s warning to the Mombasa Republican
Council did not end there as he went to warn them that if they stepped over the
court sanctioned line that: the State,
as always, can invoke the law including the Prevention of Organized Crimes
Act,” The MRC were not the only ones on the ministers warning list as he wasted
no time in cautioning his fellow government officials say that ‘the issue
should not be politicized’ saying that and “the country cannot afford to have
different arms of government sending out conflicting messages” that his ministry-Internal Security-‘will from
now on be taking the lead in all issues relating to the government’s position on
the matter of MRC’. Haji wants the matter to be handled by Civil Servants and
not politicians who he says are seeking popularity and votes.
The question and elephant
in the room remains can reason negotiate with those so gung ho and stuck on
their long existing agenda, people who insist on seeing only their side as the
right and logical view point. Even more frightening and worrisome to residents
at the coast and any prospective tourists is could there come a time when this
now legal group see no other solution out of the developing statement but to
snatch the sunny, peaceful holiday destination into ‘liberation’ and autonomy
by force?
As it stands now the MRC will not cease in
their calls and plans-logical or irrational- to secede and the government in
the form its now self appointed lead in the matter will defiantly not back down
the country now seems to be at a stand off!
...Or A Fatal Error In Judgement?
Fisheries minister Amason Kingi is the first to tell anyone he is lucky to be alive as his bodyguards swung into protective mode when a mob came at them with Pangas poised. The harrowing attack took place at a public rally in Mtwapa. The government through the Internal Security Minister Katoo Ole Metito now points a long accusing finger at the MRC who have also been involved in preventing people from collecting their Identification Cards, warning residents not to register themselves as Clerks in the March 2013 polls, and planning to disrupt the KCSE and KCPE examinations.
...Or A Fatal Error In Judgement?
Fisheries minister Amason Kingi is the first to tell anyone he is lucky to be alive as his bodyguards swung into protective mode when a mob came at them with Pangas poised. The harrowing attack took place at a public rally in Mtwapa. The government through the Internal Security Minister Katoo Ole Metito now points a long accusing finger at the MRC who have also been involved in preventing people from collecting their Identification Cards, warning residents not to register themselves as Clerks in the March 2013 polls, and planning to disrupt the KCSE and KCPE examinations.
As time goes by it seems that the now
legitimate group have decided not to heed the orders of the court but instead
to continue calling for cessation. On their part the MRC deny having anything
to do with the attack that left four people dead.
Armed with mounting evidence against group
the government will now head back to the courts to challenge the ruling that
legitimized the group in July this year.
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