Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has stepped down as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors after a public outcry over comments he made about the late Raila Odinga.
The remarks, delivered in Kikuyu at a funeral in Nyeri, landed during a week of national mourning. They sparked swift condemnation from both sides of the aisle, and from ordinary Kenyans who felt the words mocked a family in grief.
By Wednesday morning, CoG had already called an urgent meeting to weigh action. Kahiga moved first, issuing a public apology, then resigned from the post.
In his statement, the governor insisted the viral clip had been misunderstood. He said his words were not a celebration of death, and that he was addressing politics and development.
He also offered a direct apology to the Odinga family and Kenyans. “I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of the Rt. Hon Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga,” he said.
Kahiga added that he would take responsibility for the outrage caused. “I am taking responsibility and resigning with immediate effect as the vice chair of the Council of Governors,” he said.
Press Statement. pic.twitter.com/dzVSpKv85c
— Mutahi Kahiga (@GovernorKahiga) October 22, 2025
Meanwhile, the political backlash widened. ODM chair Gladys Wanga called the remarks primitive, insulting and out of step with the moment, urging an immediate resignation. UDA’s leadership also distanced itself, saying the words were reckless and demanded a public apology.
For months, the government’s “broad-based” arrangement had already redrawn Kenya’s political map. Kahiga framed his initial comments within that realignment, claiming the Mt Kenya region had been sidelined.
But with Raila’s passing having united much of the country in grief, many were not amused.
