Kenya's high court to hear case on secession of western region

Kenya’s high court has been petitioned to allow a community in the Western Province to hold a referendum on their secession from Kenya.

The petitioners Mathew Okwanda Mwilitsa and Alex Misigo Matisa are pleading with the court to allow the pre-independence Abaluhya Community to decide their fate through a referendum, local media portal Daily Nation reports.

The community, which was part of Uganda (Eastern Province of Uganda) was given to the then British East African Protectorate in 1962 without the consent of the people, the petitioners claim.

“The inhabitants of the former Eastern Province of Uganda were between the years 1895 – 1962 a distinct, cohesive, homogeneous and a united community under the able leadership of their King Nabongo Mumia,” the petition read.

“The merger of the former Eastern Province of Uganda with the British East Africa Protectorate was illegal, and the same violated the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Governing Assembly Resolution No. 1514 (XV) of 14th December, 1960.

“The Government of the United Kingdom by design failed to resolve the Abaluhya Question when it was in a position to do so before granting independence to the British East Africa Protectorate; and therefore liable to pay reparations for the anguish and sorrow suffered by the said community to date,” it added.

They are seeking for reparation from the United Kingdom; and are suing Kenya and Uganda for dividing their people.

“The petitioners are personally and on behalf of their community urging the honourable court to be pleased to grant the people occupying the territory formerly known as the Eastern Province of Uganda leave to hold a referendum so as to exercise their right to determination in terms of their rights to nationality, territorial integrity, economic, social and culture as a people,” the petition demanded.