North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has dismissed calls to reject leaders based on their ethnicity, urging Meru residents to elect leaders on the basis of their development record, vision and integrity rather than tribal or racial considerations.
Speaking at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Meru, Dawood appeared to respond to recent remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urging North Imenti residents not to re-elect him because of his ethnic background.
“It is unfortunate when someone tells the people of North Imenti not to elect me because of my race or tribe. What kind of leadership is that? Leaders should be elected based on their manifesto, vision and development record, not tribalism, racism or ethnicity,” Dawood said.
The legislator noted that several leaders serve outside their communities of origin, citing three MPs of Central Kenya origin elected in Taita Taveta County.
“It is ironic that the same person campaigning against my re-election has endorsed a candidate from another community to contest in Thika. My people have known me all these years. ‘Sasa kweli watu wangu hii miaka yote hamkujua rangi yangu ni hii?’ Should I now start applying kiwi shoe polish to change my skin colour?” he posed, drawing laughter from the congregation.
Dawood also campaigned for the re-election of President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in the 2027 General Election, saying their administration deserved another term to complete ongoing development projects.
Quoting Proverbs 19:21, he dismissed concerns over Kindiki’s political future.
“There are many plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. The Deputy President should not fear anything. If it is God’s plan for him to become President in 2032, nothing will stop it,” he said.
The MP praised Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku for coordinating relief food distribution to drought-hit areas, saying the intervention had reached vulnerable families in North Imenti.
“Since his appointment, CS Ruku has ensured Meru and neighbouring counties receive relief food. In North Imenti alone, I received 10 lorries of relief food that have been distributed to residents affected by hunger. It is always good to share with those who have less,” Dawood said.
He also acknowledged the Catholic Church in Meru and Tharaka Nithi for its continued support to vulnerable families, saying the church had played a critical role in complementing humanitarian efforts across the region.
Edited by John Majau
