MRC joins IEBC in supporting voter registration

Outlawed Mombasa Republic Council (MRC) has changed tune by voicing their support for voter registration.

MRC spokesman Rashid Mraja led his committee in urging coast residents to turn up in large numbers and register as voters ahead of 2017 election.

Speaking at Kaloleni in Kilifi County during the IEBC-led voter registration campaign, Mraja said they have abandoned their early position of boycotting the elections, appealing to the youth to quit crime and register as voters.

“Demonstrations and violence are an outdated way of tackling issues and should not be tolerated in our society.”

He however refuted claims that MRC had been prompted by the government to change their stand saying their decision is well advised.

MRC has had several run-ins with the law with its key leaders being arrested over allegations of engaging in criminal activities.

According to IEBC commissioner Mohamed Alawi, coast region has recorded low number of voters in the registration exercise that kicked off last month.

Alawi cited Kaloleni where only 1,000 people have registered despite an earlier projection of 25,000 new voters.

Kaloleni Area MP Gunga Munga challenged residents to register as voters in order to empower themselves ahead of the next election.

Report by Patrick Kanga