Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga has received backlash over recent remarks that appeared to mock the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The outrage follows a video that went viral online, in which Governor Kahiga claims that Odinga’s death was brought by God so that the Mt. Kenya region can also benefit from government projects.
Kahiga who spoke in his native Kikuyu language, asserted that the partnership between President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga had deprived his region of government benefits, with much of the support being directed to Nyanza region.
He went further to claim that God came through for them through Odinga’s death, adding that the President would now be forced back to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“You guys can see, you can see what had been planned but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. Everybody can see that. We did not harbor hate for anyone but God came through for us. Because 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 because it seemed like they did away with us but God came and brought this thing,” Kahiga said.
He continued: “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 up there people in heaven are disagreeing a lot and came for Baba so that he can go and smoothen things up there.”
However, Kahiga’s utterances have sparked widespread condemnation with leaders across the political divide calling for him to issue an apology.
Chairman of the Council of Governors, Ahmed Abdullahi described Kahiga’s comments as reckless , insensitive and unfortunate.
“We note that the comments are indeed reckless, insensitive, sad and unfortunate. It is inhumane and unacceptable to celebrate his death on account of perceived political calculations. H.E Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, was and will forever remain a Statesman whose contributions are embedded in the annals of our Country’s History,” Abdullahi said.
Siaya County Governor James Orengo responded to Kahiga, terming the utterances as “hateful speech that brings dishonour to the public office occupied by the Governor.”
“The utterances by the Governor of Nyeri about Raila Odinga are shameful, callous and distasteful and is not protected speech. This is hateful speech that brings dishonor to the public offices occupied by the Governor. Impunity at its worst,” Orengo wrote on X.
Nyandarua Senator Methu Muhia also blasted Kahiga saying, “Governor Kahiga decided him and recklessness will walk hand in hand. That was an extremely unfortunate statement.”
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano slammed Kahiga for turning a moment of national grief to advance political interests.
“Governor Kahiga, words matter. Don’t turn a moment of national grief into a platform for political point-scoring, Kenya deserves unity and compassion,” Miano said.
