Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, EU envoy Stefano Dejak, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and British High Commissioner Nic Hailey at Whitesands hotel on Monday. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi have defied calls by Western diplomats to drop the push for the secession of the Coast region.Speaking on Monday at Whitesands hotel after meeting foreign envoys including Britain's High Commissioner Nic Hailey, Stefano Dejak (European Union), Antoine Sivan (France), and Mette Knudsen (Denmark), the governors maintained that they will continue pushing for the region’s secession. The envoys said they reminded the duo of the need for Kenya to remain united despite the political differences that have recently emerged.“We have told the governors what the country needs for now is to have Kenyans unite and hold conversations on how they can develop together,” said Hailey."From our perspective, it is not helpful to talk about secession. The rhetoric may raise tension than calm it down," he added.Joho and Kingi have however insisted that they will use constitutional means to free their people from ‘oppressive rule’."We will continue to stand our ground. We have given our reasons for seeking secession," said Kingi."You can oppose it but tell us why you are opposing it. For us we are more concerned about local and international legal framework to achieve the end," said Joho.They two argued that Coast residents cannot afford another five years under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta, adding that the Jubilee regime has failed residents in the region.The meeting was also attended by Lamu Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud Bwana.