Mwamnuadzi (L), spokesman Rashid Mraja and secretary general Randu Nzai Ruwa at Shimo La Tewa prison/CFM-File
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Stephen Riech who outlawed the group following a successful application by the State, said all its leaders – including those who are in remand after failing to raise bonds of Sh2 million each for incitement and firearm possession charges – will face fresh indictment.
He also issued warrants of arrests for five other leaders who are on a police list of wanted persons associated with the group, which is now outlawed.
Those to face fresh charges of being MRC members include the council’s leader Omar Hamisi Mwamnuadzi, its spokesman Mohammed Rashid Mraja and Secretary General Hamza Randu.
“I direct the police to produce Mwamnuadzi, Randu and Mraja soonest in court to answer fresh charges of being members of outlawed group,” said Riech in his ruling.
The three are in remand prison for failing to raise Sh2 million bonds granted to each of them for incitement charges, after rallying Coast residents to secede from the rest of Kenya.
Mwamnuadzi faces a separate charge of possessing a firearm.
Other wanted MRC suspects include Omar Suleiman (Treasurer) and members Salim Goga, Myae Ngao, Robert Charo and Salim Mlamba.
“I also issue a warrant of arrest for more five members of the council to be produced before me soonest,” he said.
The court said on Friday it had established that the group was not registered, following a successful application from the State that the group was illegal.
“I direct the police to produce Mwamnuadzi, Randu and Mraja soonest in court to answer fresh charges of being members of outlawed group” – Riech.
Police have lately intensified a crackdown on MRC members and their leaders following a sustained campaign directed at Coast residents that the region is not part of Kenya.
The group had also threatened to disrupt the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations and general elections due on March 4, 2013.
Police last week announced that they are also investigating four businessmen, legislators and some clergymen accused of funding activities of the group.
Senior Muslim leader Sheikh Mohammed Dor was arrested on Wednesday and charged at a Mombasa court for inciting violence after announcing last weekend that he was ready to fund activities of MRC “because it is not an outlawed group.”
This was before Friday’s ruling.
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