Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has ignited a political storm with remarks widely condemned as celebrating the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, forcing his resignation from the Council of Governors (CoG) leadership amid national outrage and partisan tensions.
In less than a year, the governor has twice been compelled to retract public statements after public backlash. In February, he drew condemnation for disparaging comments about the Maasai community at a funeral in Laikipia. His latest remarks, captured on video and circulated widely, have triggered calls for his prosecution for promoting ethnic contempt.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga when he appeared before the Senate Committee on County Public Accounts at Bunge Towers in Nairobi on December 3, 2024.
The clip, recorded during a funeral in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, on October 21, shows the governor speaking in Kikuyu, accusing President William Ruto and the late Mr Odinga of diverting Mt Kenya’s resources to Western and Nyanza regions. He is heard saying that “in response to the outcry from Mt Kenya, God intervened and took Raila’s life.”
“So now people have been told to go back to the drawing board because the plan that was there was probably to throw us out. But who is God? Does he take ugali at somebody’s house or sleep in Kayole? God came through in his own way. He came for Baba (Raila Odinga) so that he can go and smoothen things up there,” he said.
The comments sparked outrage from allies and opponents of the former Prime Minister, whose death on October 15 plunged the nation into mourning. ODM, which Mr Odinga led until his death, declared the Nyeri governor unfit for public office. Homa Bay Governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga accused Mr Kahiga of demeaning the memory of a national hero and linked his comments to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying they reflected “a culture of hatred and disrespect” toward Mr Odinga both in life and death.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga addresses a press conference at his home in Nyeri town on October 22, 2025.
“It is sheer hypocrisy for Kahiga, a direct beneficiary of devolution, to belittle the man who championed it,” Ms Wanga said in Kisumu. “The very office he holds exists because of Raila Odinga’s struggle for constitutional reform. To mock a man who risked his freedom for democracy is shameful.” Mr Kahiga, she asserted, “speaks the language of Gachagua, who openly mocked Raila’s health and has shown no sign of mourning his passing. Let it be known that anyone aligned with Gachagua and his ilk is not a friend to ODM. The line has been drawn.”
Governor Kahiga’s resignation followed mounting pressure from the opposition and fellow county chiefs. Kisii Governor Simba Arati joined Ms Wanga in demanding his arrest, saying his remarks “aimed to divide the nation.”
“We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Nyeri Governor over his remarks concerning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga,” Mr Arati said, citing Section 62(1) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, which criminalises utterances inciting hatred or discrimination on ethnic grounds. The united opposition — including Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, and People’s Liberation Party’s Martha Karua — called for his prosecution, describing him as “a mouthpiece for nefarious paymasters.”
In response to the fallout, Governor Kahiga addressed journalists at his Nyeri residence on Wednesday, announcing his resignation as CoG vice-chairperson. He denied celebrating Mr Odinga’s death, saying his remarks had been misinterpreted.
“My comments were not in any way celebratory,” he said. “Under the current broad-based government, we have seen skewed development. The loss of the former Prime Minister means that, politically, we all return to the drawing board. As the popular saying goes, God takes the best. It is in that context that I made those remarks in vernacular.”
At the same time, the Council of Governors held an emergency meeting chaired by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and voted unanimously to remove Mr Kahiga from his leadership role.
“At this time of deep mourning, we disassociate ourselves from the sentiments of the Nyeri Governor,” said Abdullahi. “Raila Odinga was and will forever remain a statesman whose contributions are embedded in the history of our nation. He was not only the father of devolution but also its key protector.”
The united opposition, through spokesperson Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, condemned the remarks as “despicable and dangerously divisive,” urging the ruling UDA party to act. “These remarks should be condemned by all Kenyans, starting with his party leader, President William Ruto, UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire, and Secretary-General Hassan Omar,” said Dr Kituyi. “President Ruto’s party should have issued a public apology and disciplinary action by now. His comments appear designed to ignite ethnic tension.”
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has confirmed it is reviewing the video to determine whether Mr Kahiga’s remarks constitute hate speech. If found culpable, he could face prosecution under the NCI Act, which carries a fine of up to Sh1 million or five years in prison.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged those opposed to the late leader to respect his family and what he stood for.
“If you don’t respect the person, respect the country, the family and the values he stood for. Moving forward and drawing lessons and guidance from him, Kenya will be a better country,” he said.
Reporting by Mercy Simiyu, Mercy Mwende, and Dominic Ombok
