NAIROBI — Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following a wave of public outrage over comments he made about the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
His resignation came just hours after the CoG, led by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, called an emergency meeting to discuss possible disciplinary action.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Kahiga apologised to Raila Odinga’s family, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, and Kenyans, saying his words had been misunderstood and caused “distress during a period of national mourning.”
“I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of the Rt. Hon. Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga — Mama Ida Odinga, her children Rosemary, Junior, and Winnie, Hon. Senator Oburu Odinga, and Hon. MP Ruth Odinga — the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation, and Kenyans at large,” Kahiga said.
He added that his remarks were not intended to be celebratory but were meant to reflect on what he described as “the political implications of the former Prime Minister’s passing.”
“What I meant is that under the current broad-based government, we have seen skewed development. Politically, the loss of the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board,” he said.
Taking Responsibility
Kahiga said he was stepping down from his CoG leadership role to “take full responsibility” for both the real and perceived offence his remarks had caused.
“In noting the huge public interest this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks. As a result, I have decided to step down with immediate effect as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” his statement read.
The controversy erupted on Tuesday evening after Kahiga, speaking at a funeral in Nyeri County, described Raila’s death as “a blessing” for the Mount Kenya region. He claimed the region had been sidelined since the formation of the current coalition government.
Kahiga alleged that Raila’s partnership with President William Ruto had shifted national priorities, favouring development in the Nyanza region at the expense of Central Kenya.
Political Fallout
The remarks drew swift and sharp condemnation from across the political divide. Leaders from both the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM labelled his comments “insensitive” and “disrespectful,” particularly during a time of national grief.
In an official statement, the Council of Governors said it had passed a vote of no confidence against Kahiga, formally removing him from his position.
“The Council has resolved to remove Governor Mutahi Kahiga, having passed a vote of no confidence against him. We will convene another meeting in due time to discuss further disciplinary action,” read the statement.
The CoG also apologised to Raila Odinga’s family and to Kenyans, calling Kahiga’s remarks “regrettable” and inconsistent with the values of “national unity and respect for the departed.”
Mounting Pressure
Despite his apology and resignation, calls for further accountability continue to grow. Several civic groups and political figures have urged the governor to face additional censure, saying his remarks risked deepening ethnic and political divisions.
As Kenya continues to mourn the death of Raila Odinga — a towering figure in the nation’s political life — the episode has served as a reminder of the sensitivities surrounding leadership, respect, and unity in moments of shared grief.