The Court of Appeal has lifted a ban against the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC).
Judges Daniel Musinga, Patrick Kiage, Jamilla Mohamed, Kathurima M'noti and William Ouko, on Monday upheld a ruling made by High Court in 2012, lifting the notice banning the council.
MRC was declared a criminal group In 2012 by the late George Saitoti, the minister for Internal Security, following their call for self-rule under the slogan 'Pwani Si Kenya'.
However, the Court of Appeal judges ruled that the council could not pursue secession, as it is not a registered body.
Speaking shortly after the ruling, MRC Secretary General Hamza Randu demanded dialogue with the government over alleged marginalisation of the Coast region.
Randu said it is high time the government addressed the challenges facing the region.
"We have been voicing grievances but the government has ignored us. We are now ready for talks because some of the issues we complained about still affect us today. We want dialogue to resolve issues relating to marginalisation," said Randu, as quoted by the Standard.
The MRC leader further warned the government against harassing them and referring to them as a criminal gang, adding that the court had cleared their name.