Why ‘Mumeru Mutune’ is toast of Imenti North

Mumeru Mutune. [Photo: Sammy Mose/Standard]

By FRANCIS NGIGE

He goes by the moniker Mumeru Mutune and he can spotted at Soko Mjinga market in Meru town mingling with market goers.

The bespectacled gentleman easily stands out from the crowd, not because, as some may point out, his physical attributes, but because of the way he interacts with the people.  

His real is Rahim Dawood and he is the Imenti North MP. A Kenyan of Asian origin, Dawood beat all odds to be elected the first non-native representative in Meru.

It was history in the making when he was declared winner after flooring, among others, the outgoing legislator Cyrus Muriuki.

On the streets of Meru town, the MP can be seen engaging the locals be it hawkers, business people or even the matatu crew on various issues.

The father of two baffled both friends and foes when he emerged victorious in the March 4 elections.

Watching him mix freely with the residents of Meru town, Dawood, if not for his skin colour, would easily pass for a typical Meru. The MP, having been born and brought up in Meru has been initiated into the ways of the rural folk.

The sociable MP can speak fluent Meru and will be found spending most of his time in his constituents’ homes and other social places taking part in local activities.

He fights for the dignity of the destitute, providing an example to a community that has bridged divides of culture, class and religion. Born 48 years ago, Dawood, who schooled locally, describes himself as “the brownest person among the Ameru” and regards himself as part of the community most famous for its association with miraa.

The first non-indigenous MP to be elected among the Ameru is a common feature in Meru town and spends most of his time listening to his constituents.

When The Standard on Saturday paid him a visit recently, it was difficult for the MP to settle down for an interview due to intermittent interruptions from the constituents.

Since he operates an open-door policy, his office at Blue Towers complex at Makutano Junction in Meru town is teeming with constituents who want to see him.

Open-door policy

When we went see him, Dawood was with his wife, Hawa Musani. The couple has two children, Tania and Alisha Musani. People frequent the office with their problems. Others just stop by to pass him compliments.

As we are ushered into his office by one of his employees, a visibly enraged elderly woman says: “Twi tuthuriitue mono ni kwigua muntu akithumbia mujumbe wetu. Muriuki natige kuthumbia mujumbe wetu (Somebody is trying to sling mud at our MP. Muriuki (former MP) should stop talking ill about our MP).”

Apparently, Dawood’s predecessor had been on a local vernacular radio station the previous night where he accused him of not contributing to the parliamentary debate.

Dawood, understanding the woman’s concern, speaks to her calmly: “Tigana na mantu jau wee (take it easy mum).”

Dawood is a successful businessman who has invested heavily in Meru town.

Apart from the prestigious Blue Towers hotel that he operates from, the soft-spoken MP has a number of commercial buildings within the central business district, some of which house major banks and supermarkets.

But what made this successful businessman venture into the dirty game of politics? He considers himself a servant of people rather than a politician.

“Having been born and brought up here, these are my brothers and sisters. I interact with them daily and when they urged me to represent them, there is no way I could have said no,” he remarked.

He said that with most of his investments in Meru town, it was important for him to continue with his philanthropic work that he started during his tenure as a civic leader during the last term.

“I felt that this was the only way of repaying back to the society having grown up among them. There is no greater joy than assisting people in need,” Dawood said.

During his heydays as a councillor, the ‘brownest Mumeru” put all his salary and allowances to philanthropy.

The MP drives himself and does not have a bodyguard despite his new status. “Why should my status change just because I have been elected MP? I’m the same man the people of Imenti North elected this is why even my mobile phone number has remained the same,” he said.

He drives daily to and from Nairobi  a 600km round journey  to attend parliamentary business.

“My family lives here and this is where I have invested. Why should I have another home in Nairobi? Would you want to live in Nairobi or here?” the MP asks his wife who is seated next to him during the interview.

His wife quickly points out that she is was comfortable with life in Meru, “away from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

“We are comfortable here, the pressure and congestion of the city is too much,” said Mrs Dawood.

On assisting the less fortunate and the vulnerable in society, Dawood said he has taken the role as a calling.

“Maybe it is not the way I intended to live my life, but assisting people is a calling and I know somebody must do it. It would be good if the society did not need people like me but while it does I will be right there,” said the MP.