There have been a lot of guessing concerning Hon. Rahim Dawood’s preferred party, as parties and candidates engage in negotiations and coalitions in efforts to convince the electorate to give them a 5-year mandate on August 9th.
Barely two weeks ago, a meeting that brought together the North Imenti legislator and several other MPs from Meru County sparked speculations that he might be considering joining the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
Other leaders present in the meeting were John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Kubai Kiringo (Igembe Central), (North Imenti), Kathuri Murungi (Imenti South), Gichunge Kabeabea (Tigania East), John Mutunga (Tigania West) and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi.
Hon. Abdul Rahim Dawood however disputed claims that the forum was a UDA meeting, saying he would publicly declare his political vehicle for the August polls at the appropriate time.
Independent
Speaking after meeting a section of his agents and supporters on Friday afternoon (11th March 2022), Hon. Rahim Dawood announced his decision to officially ditch the ruling Jubilee Party, and that he will be seeking to defend his seat as an independent candidate in the August 9 general election.
“I have an experience with botched Party nominations, and although I had intentions of contesting on a Jubilee Party ticket, my supporters have advised me otherwise. We discussed all the available options, including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Mbus. And we finally agreed on an Independent ticket,” Hon. Rahim said.
On the Presidential race, Hon. Dawood says he will not campaign for Raila Odinga, William Ruto or any other candidate, saying everyone must convince the electorate.
The vocal legislator has also distanced himself from the political formations taking shape in Meru County, with the recent entry of Meru Senator Mithika Linturi to the gubernatorial race.
“I will not campaign for anyone seeking to be President, Governor, Senator, Woman Representative or Member of the County Assembly (MCA). I will leave it to the people to decide,” says Hon. Rahim.
Rahim has also appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure the promised new sub-counties are gazetted as planned, saying his decision to leave the Jubilee Party should not be used against him or the North Imenti people.
“The President had promised that our new sub-counties will be gazetted tonight. I appeal to him and all those concerned to ensure this is done without fail.” says Hon. Rahim.
IEBC Deadlines
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set April 6 to April 22, 2022 as the time within which political parties must conduct their nominations for candidates seeking elective seats in the August 9, 2022 elections.
In the election timelines released by the commission, independent candidates have until May 9, 2022 to cease being members of a political party.
This gives nomination losers a two-week window within which to resign from their parties and run as independent candidates. Rahim Dawood has however taken the independent route without going through the nomination exercise.
In 2017, a record 4,002 independent candidates, compared to just 350 in 2013, presented themselves for election as non-party hopefuls, a number analysts say could rise significantly in the 2022 elections.
Some analysts have argued that the independent candidates could be as many as half of the party-backed candidates in the 2022 poll if parties do not address the issues that pushed hopefuls to run as independents.
Out of the 13 current independent MPs, six were party candidates who did not win their parties’ nomination in regions seen as Jubilee or National Super Alliance (Nasa) strongholds in 2017.
These are MPs Mohamed Ali, Nyali, John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru Woman Rep), Patrick Wainaina of Thika Town, Turbo’s Janet Sitienei, and Suna West’s Peter Masara.
In the 1,450 wards, independent candidates who won in the 2017 poll were the third largest group – a staggering 109 — only beaten by Jubilee’s 582 MCAs and ODM’s 339.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi and his Isiolo counterpart Mohamed Kuti were elected as independent candidates, while Kirinyaga senator Charles Kibiru is flying the independent flag in the Senate.
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