Council of Governors Ousts Kahiga Over Remarks on Raila’s Death
The action to remove Kahiga from the leadership position upholds the council’s stance regarding accountability and the role of governors
. Abdullahi reaffirmed the council's commitment to unity and wise leadership, urging public leaders to exercise caution and tact in making public remarks. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
The Council of Governors (CoG) has formally distanced itself from the incendiary remarks by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. During a media briefing following a Wednesday emergency session, CoG Chairperson and Governor Wajir Ahmed Abdullahi made a guarantee that the council had signed off unanimously to remove Governor Kahiga as Vice Chair.
Governor Abdullahi clarified that the council will soon convene to choose a fresh Vice Chair to fill Kahiga’s seat following his ouster. He clarified that Kahiga’s comments were personal and did not reflect the opinion or representation of the Council of Governors. “The Council of Governors has unanimously voted to remove Governor Kahiga from being Vice Chair.”. His statement was made in his personal capacity and not as a representative of the council in any way,” Abdullahi affirmed.
The CoG Chair reiterated that the council still had respect for all the former and present national leaders and would never sanction any remarks that would be seen as divisive or insulting, especially during a time when the country is mourning. Abdullahi reaffirmed the council’s commitment to unity and wise leadership, urging public leaders to exercise caution and tact in making public remarks.
Governor Kahiga had also before been torn apart by vitriolic attacks after a video footage posted on social media showed him making remarks in his mother tongue Kikuyu during a funeral in Nyeri. The remarks were widely interpreted to be politicizing and making fun of the death of Raila Odinga, which attracted public outcry.
Following the outcry, Kahiga offered an apology, stating that his remark had been quoted out of context. He indicated he was not going to politicize or glorify the death of the former Prime Minister. “The clip was recorded when I was attending a funeral in my home village. My words were in no way meant to dance over Raila’s death.”. What I was saying is that his demise would make a big impact on Kenya’s political landscape, compelling everyone to rethink the existing political equation,” Kahiga said in his release.
Despite his apology, the Council of Governors maintained that the sentiments were uncalled for and did not depict the values of leadership the council believes in. The action to remove Kahiga from the leadership position upholds the council’s stance regarding accountability and the role of governors to demonstrate respect, harmony, and maturity, particularly when experiencing national grief.
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