Nairobi — The clamour for Coast autonomy gained momentum with a section of local leaders saying there will be no let up until the region is independent of the larger Kenya.

Lands assistant minister Gonzi Rai and his education counterpart Calist Mwatela said the issue was no longer about majimbo (federal) system of government but complete autonomy.

They said the push has been driven by failure of the government to meet part of the agreement made between president Kenyatta and the Sultan of Zanzibar at independence on utilisation of resources especially land.

"Unlike in upcountry where the issue of land was clearly spelt out in the constitution land at the Coast has been lumped as government land making it easy for individuals to grab huge chunks of land while thousands of indigenous people are landless squatters.

"These are some of the injustices that can only be addressed when the area secedes to have its own government. Unless the inequalities are addressed then only time will tell on the future of the region," said Mr Rai.

A Coast autonomy meeting organised by the Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) heard that the idea of autonomy was noble and the time was ripe especially now that the whole country was thinking of the best form of government.

Mr Mwatela said it's nothing short of being declared a sovereign state adding that while the region contributes over 70 billion to the central government, local people remain the poorest.

Nominated MP Sheikh Dor said while the idea was noble, extreme care needs to be taken especially from those who will want to fight it because of their personal interests.

"The idea will be difficult to sell to the government and it is clear that we will get enemies even from amongst Coastal people who may see the autonomy as a risk to their interests," he said.

Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) says calls for such an arrangement have been made in different fora by different leaders including the Coast Parliamentary Group but no one has come out to provide a workable plan for the system to operate.

MUHURI executive director Hessein Khalid said coast remained unique from the rest of the country with problems that required extraordinary measures to resolve.

"Land being the most serious of all has seen the region having one of the worst land inequalities where locals have been denied their right to own and till their land.

Whereas Mr Khalid said MUHURI was calling for the formation of a semi autonomous state which will be part of Kenya but independent so as to bring government and services closer to the people, other leaders want full autonomy.

In particular, he said, they were proposing the Tanzanian model where Zanzibar is recognised as a semi autonomous state within the union of Tanzania.

"For Kenya this model will strengthen the unity between Coast and the rest of Kenya as it will promote the rights of all and respect for each other's interests and opinions.

"Under this model, MUHURI proposes that the semi autonomous coast should have its president elected directly by the people and members of the coast parliament who should not exceed 75 with extra 25 seats reserved for women and other special interests," he said.

Mr Khalid suggested that Coast be divided into eight zones to be headed by governors who will be appointed by the president subject to parliament's approval.

As the debate continues, a major convention has been planned for coast that will bring together representatives of all the communities and interest groups to be followed by a massive public awareness.