Outrage as Nyeri Governor Mocks Raila’s Death
Politicians from both sides of the political divide denounced him severely for remarks they found disrespectful, divisive,
Kahiga's remarks have since been surrounded by controversy regarding prudent leadership and the importance of harmony during national times of mourning. Photo/ Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga was strongly condemned after issuing remarks that appeared to politicize and trivialize the death of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The remarks by the governor, issued in Kikuyu during a funeral ceremony in Nyeri County, have generated widespread outrage and criticism throughout the country from the public and leaders alike.
In a viral video on social media, Kahiga appeared to indicate that Raila’s death was God’s doing to restore Mt. Kenya region’s allocation of government resources, which he claimed had been redirected elsewhere due to the political union between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga. He hinted that with Raila’s death, political power and development agendas would again shift towards the Mt. Kenya axis, as if God had “intervened” in politics.
“You all saw what was being plotted, but God intervened and foiled those plans. Today there is uncertainty everywhere. We did not hate anyone, but God spared us,” Kahiga said in the video clip. “If you were going there, you would have noticed that all the government perks were being shipped there because of political reasons in the future. They had apparently left us high and dry, but God had other plans. Now everyone has had to go back to the drawing board.”
Kahiga went further to make a remark that most people found highly offensive when he said, “Does God eat ugali in somebody’s house or sleep in Kayole? He saw there was too much discord up there in heaven and took Baba (Raila) to help sort things out.”
Politicians from both sides of the political divide denounced him severely for remarks they found disrespectful, divisive, and inappropriate at the time of national grief.
East African Community Principal Secretary Dr. Caroline Karugu was among the first to condemn the statement as “silly and deeply unfortunate.” Her interpretation is that Kahiga’s statement does not represent the majority of people from Mt. Kenya and utilized him to condemn him as insensitive. “Even the wickedest among us should give mourners space to mourn peacefully.”. From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh — and from his words, we can tell what he is,” she had said.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu also denounced the governor as reckless and insensitive. “Kahiga has chosen to walk hand in hand with recklessness. That was a most unfortunate remark,” Methu appended.
Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga also chimed in with similar sentiments, lambasting the governor for stoking tribalism. “Ethnic profiling is not acceptable, especially from elected leaders. It is irresponsible and perilous, and for Governor Kahiga to sow seeds of dissonance during a time the nation was grieving a national icon, he should be brought to book,” Omanga stated.
Kahiga’s remarks have since been surrounded by controversy regarding prudent leadership and the importance of harmony during national times of mourning, with the majority of Kenyans urging their leaders to be discreet and respectful when making contentious national statements.
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