- Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga made remarks that seemingly celebrated former prime minister Raila Odinga’s death
- Kahiga faced a lot of backlash from politicians, with some demanding that he resign from his position as the vice chair of the Council of Governors
- In response, Kahiga defended his remarks, claiming they were taken out of context, as he stepped down from his role as vice chair of the Council of Governors
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya
Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga faced backlash over his controversial remarks that appeared to celebrate the death of former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Source: Facebook
While speaking at a funeral in Kieni, Kahiga seemingly termed Raila’s death a divine intervention.
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He claimed that Raila’s death will now cause the government to shift its focus to the Mt. Kenya region.
In response to the backlash he received, the county boss took the step of resigning as vice chairperson of the Council of Governors.
“In noting the huge public interest that this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility for my remarks. As a result, therefore, I have decided that with immediate effect, I am going to step down as the vice chair of the Council of Governors, “Kahiga said.
“As I do that, I also pray that the soul of the right honourable prime minister Raila Odinga continues resting in eternal peace,” he added.
Mutahi Kahiga defends his remarks
The governor also took the opportunity to defend his remarks.
Source: Facebook
He stated that his comments about Raila were not celebratory, suggesting that Kenyans misunderstood his biblical reference.
“The popular saying goes that God takes the best, and it was in this context that I made those remarks in vernacular. Let me also make it clear that the remarks I made are my personal views and therefore should be in no way associated with a community’s position or any political affiliation,” Kahiga said.
Kahiga acknowledged the severity of his remarks and apologised to the late prime minister’s family, including Mama Ida Odinga and Winnie Odinga, among others.
Were there calls for Mutahi Kahiga to resign?
Kahiga’s decision was followed by calls from politicians for his resignation as vice chair of the Council of Governors.
Homa Bay governor and ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga was among the politicians who criticised Kahiga over his remarks.
“It is bad manners, uncouth, pusillanimous and unacceptable for Mr. Kahiga to make such remarks. In fact, coming from someone who occupies a respectable position as the vice chairman of the Council of Governors, it is utterly absurd and astonishing. We therefore demand that he resign from this position with immediate effect,” Wanga said.
Wanga stated that Raila dedicated much of his life to fighting for the country’s democracy, making it troubling for Kahiga, a beneficiary of the devolution he fought for, to speak in such a manner.
Additionally, she referenced Kahiga’s statement that the Nyanza region has been benefiting from the broad-based government, stating that the development there pales in comparison to what has occurred in the Mt. Kenya region since the era of Jomo Kenyatta.
Ruth Odinga reacts to Mutahi Kahiga’s remarks
Kahiga’s decision came hours after Raila’s family responded to his remarks
Raila’s sister, Ruth Odinga, who also serves as Kisumu woman representative, expressed her disappointment with Kahiga’s remarks.
She told Kahiga that he should be ashamed of himself for the comments he made.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
