North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has expressed his support for the split of Meru county into two in order to pave way for Meru and Nyambene counties.
The lawmaker said the county should be split in a bid to bring more resources to the residents and not on political grounds.
He said he started pushing for the split way back in 2018 because he felt that the county qualifies for the creation of an extra county.
Speaking during the eye and diabetic screening camp at Meru primary school in Meru town, Dawood said Meru county should be split because it meets the criteria and not because people from Nyambene region are being mistreated like a section of leaders and locals are claiming.
“As per the law, no county should exceed five constituencies. Meru county should be split into two in order to enable us get more resources and not because people from Nyambene region are being mistreated as alleged by some leaders and residents. We should stop politicising the issue,” said Dawood.
He called on the legislators pushing for the split to first present a bill in parliament where it will be debated before being subjected to a referendum.
The legislator said all those counties that are pushing for the split should be consolidated together before being taken to parliament for debate and subsequent referendum noting it is not wise to debate each county separately.
The North Imenti MP also supported the 2023 Finance Bill noting it is a form of saving and not taxation.
He said the only problem is that many Kenyans have not fully read and understood the bill before taking a stand.
Dawood said civic education should be done to sensitise the people on the finer details of the bill noting he will spearhead the exercise.
“The bill is not a form of taxation as some of the people are claiming. It is savings which someone can get full reimbursement once you decide to opt out or in case of death. Civic education should be done to ensure Kenyans know what is contained in it,” said Dawood.
He advised those criticising it to first read and understand the bill before commenting on it.
He said the proposed fuel levy of 16% will not affect the prices of commodities because the government has already reduced the cost of several items.
