Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, NASA leader Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho arrive at the Sun 'N' Sand Beach Resort in Kilifi on Sunday (Photo/nation.co.ke)
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi have maintained that they will not be cowed by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s threats to drop the push for the secession of the Coast region.
Speaking at governors and their deputies at Diani Reef Hotel in Kwale, Uhuru dared the duo to continue pushing for self-rule of the region at what he termed as their own risk. The second term President said that the state will not tolerate such campaigns.
The remarks of the head of state did not augur well with the two county bosses, who are known to be among the fiercest critics of the Jubilee regime. The two have insisted that they will continue pushing for the liberation of their people from poor governance. Joho said that campaign for the secession of the region cannot be ignored.
“Only a fool can ignore this talk. You cannot speak of threatening the territorial integrity forgetting to touch on the dignity of human being. We will not stop talking until our people get their rights,” said Mr Joho during Coast people’s assembly convention at Sun n Sand Beach Resort in Kilifi, as quoted by Daily Nation.
His remarks were reiterated by Kingi who said that an attempt to put them behind bars will bring more harm than good to the state.
“What we heard from him (Mr Kenyatta) is exactly what his father did. Different words with the same meaning. This struggle is not new...” said Mr Kingi.
They also revealed that at least 12000 delegates from the six counties are set to be selected to discuss the issue. Kingi also said that they have been quiet about the debate because they want to come with a plan that will work.