Joho Holds Private Meeting With EU Officials Over Secession

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi held a meeting with the European Union delegation led by British High Commissioner Nic Hailey where they discussed secession.

The Commissioner, who was accompanied by other European envoys, objected to the secession calls by Mr Joho and Mr Kingi ascertaining that it will cause more tension.

The delegation castigated the plans by the two governors noting that the drive for self-rule could plunge the region into chaos.

Ambassadors met the two governors for about five hours at Whitesands hotel in Mombasa, where they also discussed security issues.

[caption caption="British High Commissioner Nic Hailey, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi"][/caption]

French ambassador Antoine Sivan, European Union envoy Stefano Dejak and Danish ambassador Mette Knudsen also attended the forum.

Hailey stated: "From our perspective, it is not helpful to talk about secession. The rhetoric may raise tension rather than calm it down."

"The country must have genuine conversations that will lead to improved development and prosperity," he advised.

However, MrDejak stated that the call for secession was triggered by strong feelings of exclusion.

"Now we have to strengthen inclusion and devolution. Logic inclusion can work best, the 2010 constitution, which 67 per cent Kenyans approved, must be adhered to,” Mr Dejak noted.

The two governors were, however, adamant on their position which they ascertained they were determined to pursue. Mr Joho and Mr Kingi have cited political and economic marginalization in the call supported by a host of Opposition MPs from the region.

Here are photos of the meeting: