MRC member cuts Kibaki speech short

Friday, 02 September 2011 08:45 BY BRIAN OTIENO

PROTEST: A suspected Mombasa Republican Council 35-years-old Calvin Birya who stormed while the President was making his speech at the ASK Mombasa .Photo Elkana Jacob

ATTENTIVE: President Kibaki with Agriculture minister Sally Kosgie admires a charcoal Jiko that uses charcoal made from coconut at the ASK Mombasa Show.

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President Kibaki was yesterday forced to cut short his speech at the opening of the Mombasa ASK show after a man suspected to be a member of the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council stormed his way into the arena.
Kibaki had just finished reading his speech in English at about 3.15pm and had switched to Kiswahili to address the thousands of people who had turned up to listen to him when the man stormed into the arena, running towards the VIP dais where Kibaki was. “Kibaki! Kibaki!” the man identified as Kelvin Birya, 35, shouted as he ran. Members of the president’s security detail moved closer to Kibaki in readiness for any eventuality. Dignitaries on the presidential dais stood on their feet and watched.
But Kibaki put on a brave face, smiling as three of his security men intercepted the man, dressed in a grey T-shirt, grey trousers and open shoes, about 50 metres from where he stood. “Usiwe na wasi wasi! Hakuna wasi wasi! (Don’t be worried! There is no worry!)” Kibaki said as Birya, who claimed to be an MRC member, was whisked away.
Kibaki even cautioned his security men to handle Birya with dignity and care. “Eih! Eih! Eih! Hapana sumbua yeye sana. Pole pole tu! (Hey! Hey! Hey! Don’t manhandle him! Be gentle with him!)” said Kibaki, amid excited mumbling from the crowd.
Kisauni district CID boss Benedict Kigen said the man later confessed to being a member of MRC. He said he wanted to ask Kibaki why cases involving the MRC at the Mombasa law courts are being dragged while others are concluded. “We will subject the man to medical check up to establish his mental status before we arraign him in court,” said Kigen. The outlawed group has been fighting for official recognition to defend the rights of indigenous communities at the coast.