Residents of Mbeu in Imenti North constituency took to the streets to protest against what they described as prolonged neglect by their elected leaders, accusing area MP Rahim Dawood and Nyaki East MCA Kinyua Muuna of failing to address rising insecurity and the deteriorating state of the Mbeu–Giaki road.
Speaking during the demonstrations along the stalled road, the residents said they feel abandoned despite overwhelmingly voting for their current leaders in the last general election.
They cited increasing cases of theft, the absence of a functional police post, impassable roads, human-wildlife conflict and limited job opportunities for their children as some of the pressing challenges facing the area.
“We as the residents of Mbeu do not have adequate security. We have had our properties stolen and we no longer sleep at ease and most often we spend our nights screaming because of insecurity,” said the residents.
They lamented the lack of a police station, arguing that the absence of a security presence has exposed them to criminal activity.
They noted that they are now forced to travel to Giaki to report cases, a situation they described as frustrating.
The protesters also directed their anger at Nyaki East MCA Kinyua Muuna, accusing him of failing to represent their interests and instead “sleeping” at the county assembly.
They claimed that during campaigns he frequently visited churches, knelt before congregations and sought their votes, but has since become inaccessible.
“When we elected Kinyua Muuna as our MCA, we saw him as our eye and voice. However, he has since gone to sleep in the county assembly, yet during campaigns he used to come and kneel down in our churches. All this has happened because he already got what he wanted and left us in trouble,” said the residents.
The residents further criticized MP Rahim Dawood, saying he rarely visits the area and has not adequately responded to their concerns.
They argued that youth unemployment has reached alarming levels, forcing some young people into crime despite having gone through school.
“We as the residents of Mbeu in Giaki are complaining because our children have turned out to become thieves. We sold our land and sent them to school where they studied but because they don’t have opportunities, they have turned to this,” claimed the residents.
In addition, the poor condition of the Mbeu–Giaki road featured prominently during the protest.
Residents said the road becomes nearly impassable during the rainy season, making it difficult for vehicles including those carrying patients to pass.
In an emotional account, one woman linked repeated miscarriages in the area to delays in accessing medical care due to the bad road.
“Our children keep miscarrying because they can’t get to the hospital in time when labor kicks in. Rahim is making us not to get children. Up to now my daughter has lost two pregnancies, if she miscarries this third one, we will have to go to him,” she said.
The residents demanded that construction of the road begin immediately and be completed before the end of the year, insisting that they do not want it turned into a campaign tool ahead of the next general election.
Imenti North parliamentary aspirant Collins Murimi, who joined the demonstrators, accused the current MP of neglecting the area and failing to address insecurity and stalled infrastructure projects.
“The residents have told me that their leader Rahim Dawood doesn’t visit this area to listen to their problems. On the widespread insecurity in this area, we are asking Rahim where did the AP base that was there in Mbeu go? When will we be given a police post so that we do not go to Giaki to report our issues?” asked Collins.
He also questioned when construction of the Mbeu–Giaki road would commence, saying residents want tangible development within clear timelines rather than promises issued during campaign periods.
Edited by John Majau
