CORD leader Raila Odinga has said decades of land-grabbing were the underlying cause of continued attacks and violence in Lamu and other parts of Kenya's coastal region.
Raila challenged those who obtained land unlawfully in Lamu to return it to help quell dissent at the coast.
"It is wrong for anyone to blame the Opposition for what is going on in Lamu. The only way for the problem to be resolved once and for all is for those who grabbed the land to return it," said Raila on Monday night during an Iftar dinner which was hosted by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho at the Arab Boys' grounds.
More than 100 people have been killed in a number of attacks in Lamu in the past one month period and property worth millions of shillings, including hotels, destroyed or burned down.
Despite a heavy presence of police and other government security personnel in the region, raiders have continued to carry out daring attacks.
On Saturday, they reportedly visited a mosque where they introduced themselves as Al Shaabab operatives before giving jihadist summons. They then disarmed police officers who were guarding the mosque before proceeding to a farm and harvesting maize which they carried away into a forest.
"This issue cannot be resolved militarily or by arresting innocent political leaders. The solution is in the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission Report.Just implement it," Raila urged.
The former premier condemned the Mpeketoni land settlement scheme of the 1960s which was unprocedural, dubious and irregular leading to perpetual tension in the area.
The TJRC Report, which was handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta last year for implementation, analysed conflicts in Lamu in the context of the Shifta (Kenya-Somali) conflict of the 1960s. The commissioners included historically-rooted threats to peace posed by the proposed construction of the new Lamu Port. In the report it was stated that the Jomo Kenyatta Presidency (1964-1978) engaged in setting up dubious settlement schemes that on the surface appeared to help locals, but in the end turned out designed specifically to help people from upcountry.
The TJRC also reported that only about 15 to 20 per cent of indigenous coastals benefited, while the rest of the land was given to upcountry settlers. To worsen the situation, the report says, some members of coastal communities who were given allotment letters had their land subsequently illegally taken away.
“In Lamu district, where a larger settlement programme was implemented, supported by aid from Germany, 10,000 members of the Kikuyu community were settled between 1969 and 1979, including ex-Mau Mau soldiers. The irregular move raised the population of the Kikuyu to 20 per cent in the district", the report states.
TJRC found that locals had previously lost their land to Arabs and the British and hoped to regain it at independence, before upcountry settlers, especially Kikuyus and Kambas, came and took up their lands.
Raila also said that the Jubilee administration was trying to fool coastal residents by supposedly issuing title deeds. Jubilee was also accused of not safeguarding the rights of the Muslim community in Kenya.
The opposition leader talked of a plot to silence vocal coastal MPs by arresting them and urged Muslims to support the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).
“There are many ways to skin a cat - I want us to join hands as Coast residents because I know Coast people are courageous. If we say we move forward, we move forward without taking steps back,” he said.
Addressing attendees at the event, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula said that the country was being held ransom by a few individuals who carry incredible historical-injustices baggage on their shoulders.
Wetang’ula said the government has failed to deal with insecurity and is now profiling people on the basis of their tribe and religion.
Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale said the Opposition will stand in solidarity with Muslims in good and in bad times. Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar supported the push for a referendum by Cord saying that it is aimed at removing stumbling blocks erected to prevent Kenyans from enjoying the benefits of the new constitution.
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