Change of heart as ex-MRC leader enlists as voter

By Phillip Mwakio and Christine Kuvuna

A former Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) official has registered as a voter.

Amani Chifwete was deputy chairman of Vikwathani branch in Kisauni constituency, Mombasa County, one of the MRC strongholds at the Coast.

There have been fears that the outlawed group, which was calling for a boycott of elections, would disrupt the exercise.

Mr Chifwete claimed other two MRC leaders were scheduled to register as voters in Kisauni as more followers of the movement were embracing the exercise they had earlier opposed.

Mr Chifwete, 30, who is credited with having coined the infamous phrase ‘Pwani Si Kenya’ (Coast is not Kenya) slogan used by the secessionist group walked into the International Fellowship for Christ Church, Mishomoroni, polling station and registered.

He said he would vie for the Junda ward on a TNA ticket.

“It has been a painful decision though. We stood for our rights but at the end realised that court decisions do not come as fast as expected. I have made up my mind to register as a voter,’’ Mr Chifwete told the media on Monday.

Management

He is now faced with the task of convincing over 1,000 members of the outlawed group in Mishomoroni to register.

“I know them by name and face and will try my level best to woo them to register. It is only by the use of a voter’s card that we can exercise our democratic duty to choose leaders wisely,” he said.

At the registration centre, two prison warders manned the premises as a handful of prospective voters streamed in to register.

This latest move comes hot on the heels of reports that MRC leader, Mr Omar Hamisi Mwamnuadzi, has enrolled for a course in County management at the Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) in Kwale.