MRC spokesman Rashid Mraja surrenders to the police

MONDAY, 08 OCTOBER 2012 13:00 BY LYDIA MATATA

Mombasa republican council spokesman Rashid Mraja (C) with other MRC members after the hearing of their case at Mombasa Law courts. Photo Norbert Allan

Mombasa Republican Council spokesman Rashid Mraja has surrendered himself to the police.

Mraja had gone into hiding when police raided his home Kingorani this morning and arrested his wife who was later released after questioning.

The MRC spokesman presented himself at the Provincial police headquarters accompanied by his lawyers and officials from the Muslim for Human Rights.

Four people including the council’s coordinator for Likoni Ali Mwatebe were arrested during the early morning raid. The suspects have been arraigned in court.

The suspects were arrested over the recent violence in the Coast including an attack on Fisheries minister Amason Kingi during a rally last week by youths armed with pangas believed to be members of the MRC. Four people including Kingi’s bodyguard were killed in the attack.

The MRC have denied responsibility for the attack. The group have  been demanding the secession of the coast region and have been carrying out a campaign to stop people from taking part in the forthcoming general elections.