By Willis Oketch and Tobias Chanji

Prime Minister Raila Odinga took his campaigns for ODM presidential ticket to Kwale County and declared his readiness to dialogue with the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council (MRC).

Speaking while opening ODM offices in Kwale County on Sunday, Raila said MRC should not be ignored without identifying the main reason some Coast people want to secede from Kenya.

"Instead of giving a deaf ear to the group we should be ready to hear their grievances. Whether it is because of the historical injustices or other issues, I am ready to listen to them," said the Premier.

He extended an olive branch to the group that has been at loggerheads with the State over its secession campaign dubbed "Pwani si Kenya" to be ready for genuine talks.

He was companied by his wife Ida, Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang, Lands counterpart James Orengo, Assistant Minister Alfred Khang’ati, Msambweni legislator Omar Zonga, ODM Kwale County chairman Hassan Mwanyoha and Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council (Kemnac) chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao.

This is the second time the Government has called for talks with the MRC leadership.

Last year, Coast PC Ernest Munyi asked Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) to spearhead structured talks with the outlawed group but the meetings aborted after MRC asked the Government to lift the ban.

A week ago, Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti told a peace and security summit in Mombasa that MRC should drop the secession demands before the State accepts dialogue.

Non reformers

Their grievances range from land ownership conflicts, the squatter problem and neglect of the region in development despite having immense resources.

Raila said the Government was committed to developing the region citing plans to construct Lamu Port, expansion of Mombasa Port and land reforms.

He said the Government would open up other seaports in Shimoni and Malindi, expand the Kisumu port and upgrade the railway infrastructure.

He told the electorate to be wary of politicians making empty pledges and give money to woo them but leave as soon as they are elected.

He at the same time lashed out at ethnic groupings and called for unity of all tribes.

"During the campaigns for the new Constitution some were reluctant to support it and only did so at the last minute while others gave us a red card and were agents of propaganda that the Constitution allows same sex marriage and abortion. We should not leave the Constitution to the same people to implement it," he said.

This was in reference to Eldoret North MP William Ruto who led the campaign against the Constitution and Kalonzo Musyoka who was seen to be dillydallying when the referendum campaign began. The Prime Minister assured Kenyans that their interest would be catered for saying the regime has now changed.

"The central government was dictatorial as Kenyans had to beg one individual to get services," he added.

Raila said it was ODM that fought for the devolved government.

Orengo said the party was built on ideologies of devolution, human rights and land reforms and would push for implementation of the Constitution.

He also handed over two title deeds, one for 3.08 hectares to the 600-year-old Kongo Mosque in Diani and another 12 acres for the proposed Kwale Islamic Centre adjacent to the mosque.

Residents said the mosque land had been acquired irregularly by influential individuals who have since surrendered it.