Nyeri Governor Kahiga Ignites National Fury with Remarks Seen as Mocking Raila Odinga’s Tragic Death
Nyeri, Kenya - In a moment that has plunged Kenya's political landscape into deeper division amid collective grief, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has become the epicenter of a fierce storm following comments delivered at a local burial ceremony. The remarks, captured on a widely circulated video, appeared to frame the recent death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a timely act of divine intervention that upended regional political strategies. Coming just days after Odinga's passing on October 15 while undergoing treatment in India, Kahiga's words have been branded by critics as not only insensitive but a dangerous escalation of tribal rhetoric at a time when the nation yearns for unity.
Raila Odinga, often hailed as the architect of Kenya's devolution system and a towering figure in the country's democratic evolution, left behind a legacy that transcends party lines. As a statesman whose vision shaped modern governance, he was revered as a father, husband, grandfather, brother, and mentor to countless Kenyans. His contributions to national development earned him tributes pouring in from across Africa and the global diaspora. Yet, in the lead-up to his death, Odinga had voiced profound dismay over vicious social media hoaxes falsely announcing his demise, complete with fabricated images of his body arriving at Lee Funeral Home. He labeled these acts as the nadir of political malice, a sentiment that now underscores the raw pain inflicted by Kahiga's outburst.
The controversy erupted during the burial event in Nyeri, where Kahiga addressed a crowd in the local dialect. Speaking with evident relief, he suggested that Odinga's death had derailed a supposed alliance between President William Ruto and the late leader, which he claimed was redirecting national resources toward the Nyanza region at the expense of Mount Kenya. This arrangement, Kahiga argued, threatened to sideline his home turf ahead of the 2027 elections. His comments painted the turn of events as a cosmic reset, forcing opponents back to the negotiating table.
"You guys can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. We did not harbour hate for anyone, but God came through for us," Kahiga stated in the video, his tone laced with what many interpreted as triumphant glee. He elaborated further, saying, "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." In a particularly pointed jab, he added, "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."
These statements quickly spread like wildfire across social media platforms, igniting a torrent of outrage. For a nation still reeling from the shock of Odinga's loss, the governor's words struck like a betrayal of basic humanity. Public sentiment, amplified by shares and reposts, has coalesced around demands for accountability, with many viewing the remarks as emblematic of entrenched ethnic chauvinism that poisons Kenya's fragile social fabric.
The backlash has been swift and multifaceted, drawing condemnation from across the political spectrum. The Council of Governors, led by Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday distancing the body from Kahiga's views. Abdullahi expressed profound disappointment, labeling the comments reckless, insensitive, and inhumane. "Today, the CoG registers its deep disappointment with the unfortunate utterances by Governor Kahiga. We wish to disassociate in total with the sentiments of Governor Kahiga and note that those are personal remarks that do not reflect or represent the views of the CoG," he declared. He went on to honor Odinga as the architect and father of devolution, its key protector, and an ardent supporter, announcing an emergency meeting to address the fallout and prepare a follow-up response.
Opposition voices have been equally vehement. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who chairs the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and was a close ally of Odinga, called the remarks primitive, insensitive, and insulting. She urged Kahiga to step down immediately as the CoG's vice chairperson, a position he currently holds. "For three consecutive days before his death, Raila expressed shock at the capacity of human beings to be evil and heartless following disturbing social media posts announcing his death and even displaying images of his ‘body’ being received at Lee Funeral Home. He believed this was politics at its dirtiest," Wanga recounted, her voice heavy with personal offense. "As Kahiga’s colleague, I am ashamed of his words. I am offended as the Chairperson of ODM and as a believer in Raila and what he stood for. Kahiga’s outbursts are a direct assault on the values of unity, respect, and nationhood that we must all uphold." She warned of the perils of such hate speech, noting, "This kind of hate speech has ignited flames in other nations. It can happen here, too, if we allow people like Kahiga to normalise such dangerous thinking. Kenya belongs to all of us. No one tribe owns this country."
Even within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the response has been unsparing. Party Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire rejected the comments as careless and profoundly disrespectful, emphasizing that they do not represent the sentiments of the Mount Kenya region. "At a time when our nation is mourning, such statements are not only careless but profoundly disrespectful, both to the memory of a statesman and to millions of Kenyans who are grieving his loss," she said. Mbarire underscored Odinga's role as a champion of devolution and a visionary for empowered counties, urging a return to decency in discourse.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru echoed this sentiment, describing the utterances as callous and irresponsible. "The remarks made by Kahiga are not just unfortunate; they are callous and irresponsible. They do not reflect the views of the leadership or the people of Mt Kenya. Let us be clear: politics does not oust basic decency. For the record, as a people, we stand with the rest of Kenya in mourning a great statesman," she asserted.
From the national executive, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui weighed in, terming the statements regrettable and a product of a narrow, isolationist mindset. "It neither captures the national mood nor adds value to a nation in mourning. At best, it is a cheap digression and a personal opinion. It serves as yet another reminder of how low leadership can sometimes sink. Baba’s dream for Kenya was never a secret. We salute him as a true Kenyan hero," Kinyanjui remarked.
Other prominent figures piled on with equally scathing critiques. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei denounced them as ungodly, un-African, uncouth, and teetering on the edge of witchcraft. Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi branded them irresponsible and reckless, questioning, "Governor Kahiga, I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, why are you pushing one community against the wall when the country is yet to come to terms with the death of Raila? Irresponsible and reckless statement from a leader. Shame on you!" East African Community Principal Secretary Dr. Caroline Karugu dismissed them as silly and deeply unfortunate, adding, "Even the wicked should have the decency to let mourners grieve in peace." Former Senator Millicent Omanga highlighted the dangers of ethnic profiling by leaders as unacceptable, while Embakasi East MP Babu Owino called the words disturbing. Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi went furthest, demanding Kahiga's immediate impeachment by Nyeri County MCAs. "Nyeri County MCAs, over to you. That motion should only have one charge... Mt Kenya region will not fight with the rest of Kenya because of one reckless person," Wamumbi declared, arguing that the comments shamed both Nyeri and the broader region.
As of now, Governor Kahiga has remained silent in the face of the mounting pressure. No apology has been forthcoming, and calls for his resignation continue to echo through political corridors and online forums. The viral video of his speech, showing him animated at the podium amid a somber crowd, has only fueled the fire, serving as a stark visual reminder of the moment's gravity.
This episode unfolds against a backdrop of Kenya's delicate post-election healing process, where Odinga's death was meant to be a unifying tragedy. Instead, it risks reopening old wounds of regional favoritism and ethnic tension. As the Council of Governors convenes and tempers flare, all eyes turn to Kahiga for a reckoning. Will he retract, resign, or double down? In a country that prides itself on resilience, the hope remains that this uproar might yet forge a path toward the unity Odinga championed in life.