Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned as the Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following nationwide outrage over controversial remarks he made regarding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
Kahiga’s resignation came just hours after the CoG, chaired by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, called for an extraordinary meeting to discuss possible sanctions against him.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Governor Kahiga expressed deep regret and tendered an apology to Raila Odinga’s family, the ODM fraternity, and Kenyans at large, saying his comments had been “misinterpreted” and had caused “distress during a period of national mourning.”
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“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,” read his statement.
Kahiga clarified that his remarks were not celebratory, insisting that his intention was to highlight what he described as “skewed development” under the current broad-based government.
“My remarks were in no way celebratory. What I meant is that under the current broad-based government, we have seen skewed development and, politically, the loss of the Rt. Hon Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board,” he explained.
He further stated that his decision to resign was driven by a desire to take full responsibility for the impact—both real and perceived—of his statements.
“In noting the huge public interest that this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks and, as a result, I have decided with immediate effect to step down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” Kahiga said.
The controversy began on Tuesday evening when Kahiga, while addressing mourners at a funeral in Nyeri County, made remarks suggesting that Raila’s death was a blessing for the Mt. Kenya region, alleging that the area had been marginalized since the formation of the broad-based government.
The comments triggered a wave of condemnation from leaders across the political divide, including figures from both UDA and ODM, who accused Kahiga of making insensitive and divisive statements during a moment of national grief.
Following the uproar, the Council of Governors held an emergency session and unanimously passed a vote of no confidence against him.
“The Council has resolved to remove Governor Mutahi Kahiga, having passed a vote of no confidence against him, and hereby removes him as the Vice Chair of the Council. We will convene another meeting in due time to discuss further disciplinary action against him,” read a statement from the CoG Secretariat.
The Council also issued an official apology to the Odinga family and to Kenyans, describing Kahiga’s comments as regrettable and inconsistent with the principles of unity, empathy, and respect for the departed.
“We extend our heartfelt apologies to the family of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and the people of Kenya. The remarks were unfortunate and do not reflect the values of the Council of Governors,” said CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on Kahiga to face additional disciplinary measures, with some leaders and civil groups calling for his censure in the Nyeri County Assembly as well.
The death of Raila Odinga, who passed away in Kochi City, India, on October 15, has plunged the nation into mourning, with tributes continuing to pour in from across the globe.