Kaloleni MP Paul Katana at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Kaloleni MP Paul Katana has said the push for the secession of the Coast region is unstoppable.Katana said time has come for residents and leaders from the region to stand up and fight for what belongs to them. The MP said Coast politicians backing the self-rule campaign will in a few weeks time tour the region to sell their agenda to residents.Katana argued that it has taken decades to push for the agenda, adding that this time around they will not fail in their bid to free their people from what he termed as oppression.Katana was speaking in Kaloleni on Tuesday after unveiling the Kaloleni NG-CDF committee.“We have come from far in agitating for a free Coast state. This journey is unstoppable and we thought it is through going back to the people and telling them its importance, that we can sail without any hitches,” the MP said.He also dismissed claims that the push for secession is a tactic by some of the politicians in the region to remain relevant ahead of the 2022 general election.“We are not doing this for politicians, but we are looking at the future generation. How will it treat us if we fail to get over our resources and govern ourselves as an independent state?” he asked.His remarks were backed by Kayafungo MCA Alphonce Mwayaa, his Mariakani counterpart Frank Fondo and Mwanamwinga MCA Pascal Makanga.Makanga dismissed claims that people from upcountry who have settled at the Coast will be evicted once the region acquires self-rule.“That perception is not true. We have upcountry people who belong to the Coast. We know that our opponents in this push are branding it negatively, but even those upcountry people living and working at the Coast will not be victimised in any way,” said Makanga, as quoted by The Star.