Public Outrage Forces Kahiga to Step Down After Viral Video on Raila’s Death

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned as the Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following public backlash over controversial remarks he made that appeared to celebrate the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Kahiga’s decision to step down came just hours before the CoG was set to convene an extraordinary meeting to deliberate on his remarks, which sparked widespread condemnation across the country.

“I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga—Mama Ida, her children Rosemary, Junior and Winnie, Senator Oburu Oginga, Ruth Odinga, other siblings, the larger extended family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo nation, Kenyans at large, and to my colleague leaders from all sides of the political divide for any harm it has elicited,” said Kahiga in his statement.

He further clarified that his comments had been misinterpreted.

“The clip was taken while attending a burial in my home village, and my remarks were in no way celebratory,” he added.

“What I meant is that under the broad-based government, we have skilled development and politically, the loss of Raila sends everyone back to the drawing board. As the saying goes, ‘God takes the best,’ and it is in this context that I made those remarks in vernacular.”

Kahiga emphasized that his statements represented personal opinions and not those of his community, political affiliations, or the Council of Governors.

“In noting the huge public interest that this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks,” he stated.

“As a result, therefore, I have decided that with immediate effect I am stepping down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors. As I do that, I also pray that the soul of Raila Odinga continues resting in peace.”

The uproar followed a viral video in which Kahiga, speaking in vernacular during a funeral in Nyeri, allegedly suggested that Raila’s death would “free” government resources for the Mt Kenya region.

“The plan that had been hatched—if you look keenly, for you who do not travel, because I was in that region—all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans. It seemed like they had done away with us, but God came and brought this thing,” Kahiga was heard saying in the video.

“So now people have been told to go back to the drawing board because the plan that was there was probably to throw us out. But who is God? Does He take ugali at somebody’s house or sleep in Kayole? He came through in His own way. He saw that people in heaven are disagreeing a lot and came for Baba so that he can go and smoothen things up there.”

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga passed away on October 15 in India, where he was receiving treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Prior to his death, Raila had entered into a working relationship with President William Ruto, marking a rare truce after decades of political rivalry.