Meru: Locals Start Process to Oust MP Rahim Dawood Over Stalled Projects, Support For Finance Bill
- North Imenti residents launched a petition to recall MP Rahim Dawood, accusing him of betraying voters and backing punitive tax laws
- Citing constitutional grounds, the petition blames Dawood for poor leadership, stalled projects, and silence on killings and insecurity in Meru
- The lawmaker’s support for the 2024 Finance Bill and the ouster of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua have further enraged constituents
- Petitioners opened with a powerful, constitution-inspired preamble, calling on voters to reclaim their voice and demand accountable leadership
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Meru - The reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has stirred deep political unease, reigniting debates many leaders would rather avoid.
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Frustrated by the National Assembly’s approval of the widely opposed 2024 Finance Bill, a growing number of young Kenyans championed a functional electoral body that can facilitate the constitutional recall of their MPs.
The demand for IEBC reform has become a recurring theme in youth-led protests, reflecting a broader disillusionment with political representation.
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For many, rebuilding the commission isn’t just a process, it’s a crucial step toward restoring public trust and holding elected leaders accountable.
Are North Imenti residents recalling their MP?
Residents of North Imenti constituency in Meru county have launched a petition to recall their MP, Rahim Dawood, accusing him of betraying their trust.
Elected on an independent ticket, voters described his leadership as poor, insisting that he's failed to represent their interests in parliament.
The petition, citing Articles 97 and 98 of the Constitution and Section 104 of the Elections Act, marks the beginning of what could be a lengthy but significant political process.
At the heart of the community's grievances are stalled national government projects, the controversial Finance Bill 2024, and what they view as the MP’s silence on critical national issues affecting Meru and the country at large.
In a formal declaration accompanying the signature collection drive, the petitioners opened with a preamble inspired by Kenya’s Constitution, affirming their unity, dignity, and the desire for a representative government anchored in justice and accountability.
"We, the people of North Imenti constituency, acknowledging the supremacy of the almighty God of all creation, honouring those who heroically struggled to bring freedom and justice to our land: proud of our ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, and determined to live in peace and unity as one indivisible sovereign nation...," reads the petition in part.
What is Rahim Dawood accused of?
Chief among the accusations is Dawood’s vote in favour of the Finance Bill 2024, which residents say was a direct betrayal of their wishes.
The bill, which sparked national protests and widespread outrage and protests, leading to the storming of the parliament due to punitive tax measures, has become a flashpoint across the country.
They also cite Dawood’s alleged inaction in the face of rising insecurity, particularly the abductions and killings reported both nationally and in Meru.
The residents fault him for failing to speak out in parliament, despite being a senior political figure in a region that has felt the sting of lawlessness and unresolved deaths.
Beyond security concerns, residents are also frustrated with the MP’s failure to push for the completion of stalled infrastructure projects.
Source: Twitter
Roads across Meru county, they say, remain impassable due to a lack of budgetary allocations—something they believe Dawood could have lobbied for but didn’t.
Another controversial point fueling the recall is his role in the National Assembly’s vote to impeach former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
Petitioners accuse Dawood of siding with political forces determined to remove Gachagua through what they term as irregular means.
"We therefore call upon all registered voters in North Imenti to remain vigilant and use their power to recall our non-performing MP by signing this petition," reads part of the petition.
With signature books now circulating in the constituency, the recall process is officially underway.
Are Mathira residents recalling their MP?
In a similar incident, Mathira residents launched a petition to recall their MP, Eric Wamumbi, accusing him of betraying their trust by opposing Gachagua.
Led by Samuel Ngari, the drive seeks approximately 31,000 signatures, about 30% of Mathira’s 104,000 registered voters, required for recall eligibility
Beyond his impeachment vote, critics alleged misuse of Constituency Development Fund resources, bribery during public forums, and wrongful dismissal of staff.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
