Foreign Envoys Urge Hassan Joho's Team to Drop Push for Secession of Coast Region

Foreign envoys drawn from European countries have advised against secession calls by a section of coast leaders led by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi.

The heads of foreign missions in Kenya have warned that the drive for self-rule could throw the region and the country into chaos.

Speaking after meeting Joho and Kingi at Whitesands hotel in Mombasa on Monday, the ambassadors led by British High Commissioner Nic Hailey, French ambassador Antoine Sivan, European Union envoy Stefano Dejak and Danish ambassador Mette Knudsen said the idea could further divide the country.

"From our perspective, it is not helpful to talk about secession. The rhetoric may raise tension rather than calm it down." Nic Hailey said as quoted by the Star.

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

"Now we have to strengthen inclusion and devolution. Logic inclusion can work best," EU ambassador Stefano Dejak said.

The separation calls have also been opposed by former secessionist group, Mombasa Republican Council and a section of Jubilee allied politicians from the coast.

While announcing their push for self determination, Joho's team cited political and economic marginalization of the region by current and past administrations.