Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned from his role as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following nationwide condemnation of remarks he made during a funeral in Nyeri.
Kahiga came under fire after he appeared to celebrate the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, linking it to a political realignment that, according to him, favored the Mt. Kenya region.
Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
While addressing mourners in the Kikuyu dialect, Governor Kahiga claimed that the death of Raila had “levelled the playing field,” forcing key political players, including President William Ruto, back to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 General Election.
You guys can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion… We did not harbor hate for anyone, but God came through for us.
Mutahi KahigaHe went on to suggest that Raila’s passing was “God’s plan” to redirect political and developmental focus that, he claimed, had been skewed toward the Nyanza region at the expense of Mt. Kenya.
Because the plan that had been hatched… all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans. It seemed like they did away with us. But God came and brought this thing
Mutahi Kahiga In a particularly controversial statement, Kahiga added:
So now people have been told to go back to the drawing board… Does [God] 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 smooth things up there.”
Mutahi KahigaApology and Immediate Resignation
Following intense backlash, Governor Kahiga held a press conference on Wednesday, where he issued a public apology and announced his resignation from the CoG vice chair position, a role he had been elected to on October 6, 2025.
I want to apologize to the family, the larger ODM, my colleagues, and those in the larger Nyanza region. My remarks are personal and not those of the people of Nyeri or the Council of Governors. I am taking responsibility and resigning with immediate effect as the vice chair of the Council of Governors
Mutahi Kahiga Council of Governors and ODM Respond
The Council of Governors swiftly distanced itself from the Governor’s remarks. In a statement, CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said that the remarks made by Nyeri governor were his personal views that do not reflect the position of the Council
Meanwhile, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), condemned the remarks in strong terms. She noted that Kahiga’s utterances were primitive, insensitive, and insulting as she went further to accuse him of a pattern of ethnic profiling, especially against the Luo community and the late Raila Odinga.
Extraordinary CoG Meeting Held
In response to the public outrage, the Council of Governors convened an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday morning to deliberate on the matter. While Governor Kahiga’s resignation has somewhat diffused the tension, the incident has reignited debates around ethnic rhetoric, national unity, and the standards expected of public officials in Kenya.
Conclusion
Governor Kahiga’s resignation underscores the power of public accountability and the need for responsible leadership, especially during sensitive national moments. As the country continues to mourn the loss of Raila Odinga, many are calling for more decorum and respectful political discourse from its leaders.
