Three days after the lift of a ban on the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) by the High Court, acting Internal Minister Yusuf Haji has clarified that the Government isn’t ready to enter into any given dialogue with outlawed groups. Speaking after attending a meeting with the National Security Advisory Committee held at the Office of the President, Haji warned that any criminal activity that would arise from the MRC shall be ruthlessly dealt with by law. The Minister declared that the President had earlier warned the group on any secession plans instead, the government would be ready to hold talks with the people of the Coastal region in general and not play any partisan to individuals.
“There is a plan in place to talk to the people of the Coast but not to groups; the people who matter at the coast. I wish to take the opportunity to warn all criminal groups not to consider this ruling as a license to engage in criminal activities or a cover to perpetuate crime. They will face the full force of the law,” Haji reiterated.
Haji cited that engaging into dialogue with the group might give a green light to the other 32 outlawed groups to demand similar attention from the government. He termed the Wednesday’s ruling by the High Court as having with it ‘serious’ implications on national security especially at this moment when the country is gearing up for the general elections.
In their ruling on Wednesday, Judges Francis Tuiyot, John Mwera and Mary Kasango said,
“If the MRC regard this decision as a carte balance order to disorder or lawlessness, then they are on their own. The court cannot mute respondents (government) from exercising their constitutionally ordained obligation of ensuring security for all Kenyans.”
However, the group was warned by the three judge bench that the Government was indeed at liberty to invoke the law should it be found to be engaging in any illegal activities including the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act which was passed in 2010.
Haji also said that the people should not be carried away by the politician’s opinions on the matter as they were rallying for votes in this election period. He indicated that the issue should be left to the civil organ of the state to best handle it and politicians should keep distance from the matter.