Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo at a past event. [Photo/the star.co.ke]
United Democratic Party (UDP) party leader Cyrus Jirongo has slammed politicians pushing for secession.Jirongo said the secession debate is primitive and should not be encouraged.Speaking during an interview with The Star on Wednesday, the former Lugari MP stated that secession is not the solution to challenges facing the country.He warned that secession will create more trouble for the country, adding that politicians across the divide must tackle the issues facing the country without tribal divisions.Jirongo said it is unfortunate that politicians are pushing for separation instead of cementing peace and unity among Kenyans.“Politicians must stop being selfish and self-centered and push for the interests of Kenyans without discrimination,” said Jirongo.Jirongo, who unsuccessfully contested for the presidential seat in the August 8 general election and the October 26 repeat poll, said Kenya will be a laughing stalk to the rest of the world if it splits.Jirongo admitted that some communities have been marginalised since independence, but said separation will not offer solutions.He said the country needs consultative and permanent solutions to marginalization, inequality, discrimination, nepotism, and tribalism.The former MP warned that the secession debate could plunge the country into civil war.The secession debate continues to elicit sharp reactions with a section of Jubilee politicians vowing to shoot it down once it is tabled down in Parliament.Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma is pushing for secession in a Bill he says is ready to be tabled in Parliament.The MP wants 40 out of the 47 counties to secede.He is proposing the creation of two Republics; the People’s Republic of Kenya comprising of the 40 counties and the Central Republic of Kenya consisting the seven remaining counties.Kaluma argues that secession is the only solution to addressing the political, social and economic injustices that have been allegedly committed against certain communities in the country.