- Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri has sparked anger after his statements seeming to despise the late Raila Odinga
- The governor, speaking at a funeral in his county, implied that Raila’s death was an answered prayer by God as the deceased had “taken away” development from Mt Kenya
- The vitriol spewed in the Kikuyu vernacular angered Kenyans, including leaders, who called out the governor for being insensitive
Eli Odaga, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga is under fire following his vitriolic comments regarding the death of former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Source: Facebook
While attending a burial ceremony in his county on Tuesday, October 21, the audacious county boss suggested that Raila’s demise was an answered prayer for his Kikuyu kinship, who believed that the deceased’s entry into President William Ruto’s regime had deprived their Mt Kenya region of resources and development.
How Mutahi Kahiga commented on Raila Odinga’s demise
He noted that Raila’s pact with Ruto had sidelined his native region, arguing that most development was being channelled to Nyanza and Western Kenya.
The governor implied that now that Raila is dead, Mt Kenya would be spared of “what the country owes it”, and that Ruto would rethink his associations and bring the region back to the government.
Kahiga spoke in his vernacular as his irrationally excited audience cheered in approval.
But he had not assessed the weight of his sentiments prior. Kenyans who came across the viral clip went for the governor’s jugular.
Kahiga was accused of propagating acrimony between communities by suggesting that some, whose natives are also taxpayers, are undeserving of development and that they are benefiting from the government to the detriment of others, like his own.
How Kenyan leaders condemned Mutahi Kahiga
The vitriol captured in a viral clip sparked condemnation from Kenyans and political leaders, who called him out for what they said were insensitive remarks. The critics cut across, including those from his community.
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The critics called for the governor’s resignation and tendering of an apology.
“It is unAfrican to dance on the grave of the departed, worse of it, for the reason of political differences! The element of appearing like inciting a whole community against another is something else…Now clearly, Nyeri county boasts of having very sharp leaders like the Late Mwai Kibaki and very insensitive leaders, you and someone else that we all know of!” said South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro.
“Governor Mutahi 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 loss of Baba Raila? Stirring tribal tensions is an irresponsible and reckless statement from a leader. Shame on you!” said Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi.
“The statement you have made today about the passing of Raila Odinga is very unfortunate, reckless, shallow and irresponsible. As a son from the Kikuyu Community and Nyeri County, I dissociate myself from your school of thought. Raila did not rest so that the Kikuyu Community could benefit. You can do better, shame!” said Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi.
“In more civilised societies, such reckless remarks would have been sufficient ground for one to resign. So unfortunate!” said Ezekiel Mutua, the chief executive of Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK).
“Governor Kahiga, you couldn’t even wait for the mourning period to be over or even empathise with his bereaved family and Kenyans!!.
Your habit is ungodly, inhuman, uncouth and borders on witchcraft. In that case, Governor Kahiga, you MUST APOLOGISE to the Odinga family, the Luo nation, the ODM Party and the entire country of Kenya,” stated Nandi senator Samson Cherargei.
“To stand at a funeral and celebrate the death of another Kenyan, worse, a national icon, is moral decay dressed as tribal bravado. When you start to imagine that God kills for your tribe’s benefit, you have not just lost decency, you have lost your soul. This is exactly the poison Raila Odinga spent his life fighting: the illusion that one community’s progress must come at the expense of another’s existence. Kenya cannot heal while such voices go unchallenged. The Governor owes the country an apology, not to Raila’s supporters alone, but to every Kenyan who still believes in the idea of a shared nation,” said Willis Otieno, Safina party leader.
“A whole governor, shame on you!” said Kisumu woman representative Ruth Odinga, who is also the late Raila’s younger sister.
“As a State Officer, his comments are in breach of Chapter 6 of the Constitution. He ought to resign from office and keep his mouth shut forever!” said former Mandera senator Billow Kerrow.
“The statements attributed to Gov Kahiga are grossly despicable, reckless and an unwarranted attack on a grieving family and a community that is still reeling from a monumental loss. Kahiga must unreservedly apologise for his unbridled bigotry. Shame on you!” said former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu.
Raila passed away on Wednesday, October 15, while receiving treatment in southern India.
What killed Raila Odinga?
Raila collapsed during his usual morning walk after experiencing shortness of breath and cardiac arrest.
He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, where doctors attempted to revive him.
Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the facility.
Source: Facebook
Upon arrival at Devamatha Hospital, Raila showed no signs of a heartbeat, according to the attending cardiologist.
He was swiftly admitted to the ICU, where doctors intubated it to support his laboured breathing, but despite intensive efforts, the 80-year-old succumbed during treatment.
What underlying issues did Raila Odinga have
Further medical evaluations showed that Raila had underlying conditions including diabetes, kidney issues, Deep Vein Thrombosis in his right leg, and a history of fainting, prompting emergency procedures such as CPR, thrombolysis, and the placement of an IVC filter to manage potential blood clots.
His remains were flown back to Kenya aboard a Kenya Airways flight and received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport the following morning, October 15.
Ruto announced that Raila would receive a state funeral with full military honours, recognising his legacy as a devoted patriot and national statesman.
Kenya observed seven days of national mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast in solemn tribute to Raila Odinga.
As part of the state funeral, the Kenya Defence Forces performed a ceremonial 17-gun salute to honor his legacy.
Raila was laid to rest at his native home in Bondo, Siaya County on October 19. He was buried near his late father’s mausoleum at Kang’o Ka Kajaramogi.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
