Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors following public uproar over his remarks captured in a vernacular video that circulated widely on social media.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Kahiga expressed deep regret over the clip, saying it was taken out of context and never intended to mock or celebrate the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He apologised to the Odinga family, the ODM fraternity, and Kenyans across the country, describing the incident as unfortunate and deeply regrettable.
“I want to sincerely apologize to our mourning nation, to the family of the Right Honorable former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, Mama Ida, her children Rosemary, Junior and Winnie, honorable Senator Oburu Odinga, honorable MP Ruth Odinga, and the larger extended family, the ODM fraternity, and the Luo nation and Kenyans at large,” Kahiga said.
He explained that the remarks were made during a burial in his home village and were not meant to be celebratory. According to him, his statement in the vernacular was misinterpreted, yet his intention was to highlight the political impact of Odinga’s passing and express that “God takes the best.”
Since Tuesday evening, the Nyeri Governor had been under criticism following remarks he made that appeared to celebrate the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
While addressing mourners during a funeral in Nyeri, Kahiga claimed that the political partnership between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga had shifted government development priorities to the Nyanza region, leaving the Mt. Kenya region sidelined in the allocation of national resources.
Speaking in the Kikuyu dialect, Kahiga told mourners that Raila’s death had “levelled the playing field,” forcing all political players, including President William Ruto, to return to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to Kahiga, that was "God's plan for the region."
However, Governor Kahiga clarified that the comments reflected his personal opinion and should not be viewed as representing the position of any community, political group, or the Council of Governors.
“The remarks I made are my personal views and therefore should in no way be associated with a community’s position or any political affiliation, nor the Council of Governors,” he said.
Acknowledging the public backlash that followed the viral clip, Kahiga said he was taking full responsibility for both the real and perceived meaning of his words. He announced that he had decided to vacate his position at the Council of Governors to preserve the institution’s integrity and promote national unity.
“In noting the huge public interest that this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility of the real and perceived meaning of my remarks, and as a result, therefore, I have decided that, with immediate effect, I am going to step down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” he said.
Kahiga concluded by expressing his condolences to the Odinga family and the nation, praying for the late Raila Odinga’s soul to rest in peace. “I also pray that the soul of the Right Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga continue resting in eternal peace,” he said
