Governor Joho spoke during the swearing-in of six county executives in Mombasa.
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Speaking shortly after National Assembly Majority leader and Garissa Township lawmaker Mr Aden Duale wrote to the Controller of Budget to warn against disbursing funds to counties which have passed a bill to establish the People’s Assembly, Mr Joho vowed to push for the secession talks even if it would take 10 years.
“We must succeed today, after one month, a year or two, five years or even 10. This is a conversation that we must have,” the governor said.
He added: “Kenya won’t be the first and last country to have secession. It has happened elsewhere.”
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Joho’s persistent stand on Coastal secession comes hardly a week after the United Kingdom envoy warned him and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi against seceding. The envoys warned that their move will raise tension. They said exclusion triggered the agitation and recommended “a total inclusion”.
Mr Joho threw a jibe at Tourism CS Mr Najib Balala and other critics for faulting him and attempting to frustrate the course. Joho said residents will enjoy more under self-rule.
Mr Balala and Jubilee politicians from the Coast have said Kenya is indivisible. Jubilee and the Council of Kenya Professionals want seceding counties denied cash by the Treasury.
But Mr Joho said the path they have taken will lead to “real self-determination and good governance”.
The ODM deputy party leader cited proceeds from Kenya Ports Authority that have “benefited others”.
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The government plans to set up a dry-port in Naivasha and this has not gone down well with Joho. He termed it “a plot to sabotage Mombasa economically”.
“People will feel their voices count and marginalisation will no longer be used as a political tool, but for positive action,” Joho said of self-determination.
