The North Imenti race is undoubtedly one of the key areas of focus in Meru, and is said to greatly paint a picture of the political situation in the larger Mt Kenya East.
Out of 702,480 registered voters in Meru County in 2017, 89,447 were from North Imenti Constituency, the second largest number among the 8 constituencies in Meru County, with Imenti South leading with 107,414 registered voters.
Apart from Hon Rahim Dawood who will be seeking to retain his seat for a third term, the North Imenti race has attracted several other aspirants, among them Carol Karimi Muriuki, Municipality MCA Elius Murega, Nominated MP Halima Mucheke, Lawyer Ken Muriuki Muketha, businessman Nimrod Bundi and Beatrice Karwitha who also vied in 2017.
‘Mtu Wetu’
With the incumbent, Hon. Rahim Dawood being a Kenyan with Asian roots, the new entrants in the race have severally been seen whipping emotions using ‘Mtu Wetu’ slogans.
Several North Imenti residents have however distanced themselves from such comments, terming them backward and non-issues in the run up to the August 9 polls.
And as realignments of various political players gather momentum, Wilson Wambugu, Ken Muriuki’s key ally has openly endorsed Rahim Dawood, and expressed his disappointment with the ‘Mtu Wetu’ slogans propagated by his boss and other aspirants.
In a post on his Facebook Page, Wambugu openly endorsed Rahim Dawood’s candidature, saying he is a bonafide resident of North Imenti and a member of the Meru community at large.
“Hata Rahim ni Mtu Wetu! 2022 Rahim Dawood Tano Tena!” said Mr. Wambugu, alias Willy Willy.
A section of Wakili Ken’s supporters and Mbus Party loyalists took to the comments section to express their disbelief at the turn of events, with some suggesting that Wambugu’s Facebook Page might have been hacked.
“Alaaah! kumeharibika mara moja! says Frank Muriithi.
“Despite the fact politics being all about interests,, Politics also is a game of mind, at times people weigh out others minds and their perception to understand the depth of waters,” says Murithi Salehe.
However, there are those that have termed Wambugu’s move a step in the right direction, saying political realignments are bound to happen in any electioneering period.
“Mind change is a true test of sanity.” says Eric Mutwiri, a contestant in the same race.
“Rahim tosha 2022. My brother, welcome to the winning team.” says Purity Nkirote.
Hon. Rahim Dawood insists that he is still a member of the ruling Jubilee Party, and that he will make public his moves incase he decamps to any other political party.
Although he was earlier linked to the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP), the second term legislator would later dissociate from the party, citing plans by unnamed junior party officials to rig him out of the race.
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