Council of Governors Condemns Mutahi Kahiga’s Remarks on Raila Odinga’s Death, Removes Him as Vice Chairperson
The incident has reopened discussions among the public about responsible leadership and restraint in political discourse in times of national bereavement.
CoG chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said that Kahiga's remarks were his own and do not reflect the views of the Council. Photo/ CoG
By Ruth Sang
The Council of Governors (CoG) has strongly decried the utterance made by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, where he apparently made light of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. The offending remarks, made amid a funeral service at Nyeri County, sparked national outrage and led to his removal as the CoG Vice Chairperson.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday in Nairobi, CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi clarified that the statement made by Governor Kahiga was personal and not on behalf of or in the interest of the Council. “We would like to make it clear that the statement made by the Nyeri Governor is personal and does not represent the collective position of the Council of Governors,” Abdullahi stated. He stated that Council members unanimously decided to unseat Kahiga from the chairmanship.
Abdullahi also expressed disappointment and stated that Kahiga’s comments were “untimely, insensitive, and totally inappropriate, at a time when the country is in mourning.” Abdullahi also stated that the Council would immediately convene to choose a new Vice Chairperson. The Council of Governors offers its sincerest condolences to the late Raila Odinga’s family, to the ODM family, and to all Kenyans. We stand united in solidarity as the country laments a national hero,” Abdullahi emphasized.
The line erupted when a viral video of Governor Kahiga made comments during a funeral ceremony, stating the death of Raila was God’s will to restore state favors to the Mt. Kenya region. Speaking in his native Kikuyu language, Kahiga alluded that development projects and national resources had been biased towards the Nyanza region due to the political deal between President William Ruto and late Raila Odinga.
In the popular video, Kahiga indicated that “God came through” the people of Mt. Kenya, as the political arrangement that favored other regions had been rattled by the passing of Odinga. The remarks were widely condemned as inflammatory and disrespectful, and they sparked outrage from politicians across the divide.
Following the storm, Governor Kahiga resigned from his CoG job on Wednesday morning, acknowledging that his utterances were unbecoming. “I tender my genuine apology to the family of the late Raila Odinga, the ODM fraternity, my fellow governors, and the people of Nyanza. My remarks were personal and do not represent the feelings of the people of Nyeri or the Council of Governors,” he said. “I take full blame and hereby resign with immediate effect.”
Kahiga, elected on October 6, 2025, as CoG Vice Chair, was roundly condemned by some leaders. East African Community Principal Secretary Dr. Caroline Karugu referred to his remarks as “silly and deeply unfortunate,” while Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, ODM National Chairperson as well, termed them “primitive, insulting, and befitting no leader.”
The incident has reopened discussions among the public about responsible leadership and restraint in political discourse, particularly in times of national bereavement.
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