NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 8 – Attorney General Githu Muigai has appealed against a ruling that lifted the ban imposed by the government on the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC).
Under a certificate of urgency, the AG on Monday filed the appeal arguing that after the court decision, MRC engaged in criminal activities in Mombasa.
“The application under certificate of urgency in the Court of Appeal Registry seeking to stay the decision of the court lifting the ban pending the hearing and determination of the appeal was filed on Monday 6th August 2012,” a statement from the AG’s office indicated.
Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo and acting Senior Litigation Counsel Mwangi Njoroge supported the AG in affidavits seeking to have the Court of Appeal hear the matter urgently since courts are on recess.
In a statement, the AG stated that after the court ruling that approved the group, MRC members distributed flyers with messages that are a threat to peace and security.
“The grounds on which the orders are sought are that immediately after the court decision was made members of the Mombasa Republican Council engaged in further criminal activity by releasing leaflets in public places and making statements in electronic and print media containing alarming information – which are a threat to peace and security in the coast region,” he asserted.
He explained that in the flyers, MRC maintained it will not register as a political party and will not allow elections to proceed in the Coast Province, which the AG said is a demonstration that the group is interfering with peaceful operations of the country.
The AG further expressed fears that if MRC is not contained it will interfere with the voting process hence denying other Kenyans their right to vote.
On July, 25 Mombasa High Court lifted the ban on MRC causing uproar from the government which said it will not dialogue with the group with Acting Internal Security Minister Yusuf Haji warning that any criminal activity by MRC members will be dealt with firmly.
MRC members have wrongly brushed the government for seeking secession of the coastal region from the rest of the country arguing that the area had been neglected by successive governments.
They also want to repossess land occupied by people from other communities within the county including foreigners.
The group has previously also threatened to evict people from other communities who live and work in the Coast unless their secession demands are met.
But MRC lawyer Abraham Sing’oei has argued that government should stop fearing since the court ruling indicated that their activities did not call for alarm.
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