Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga is in the eye of a storm following his comments on the death of Raila Odinga, which appeared to celebrate the transition of the former prime minister.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Mr Kahiga claims the passing on of the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was the “work of God” in favour of Mt Kenya’s political interests.
“You guys can see, you can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. Everybody can see that. We did not harbour hate for anyone, but God came through for us,” he said in his native Gikuyu language while addressing mourners in Kieni Constituency.
The governor is also heard saying that President William Ruto and the late Odinga had diverted all Mt Kenya resources (sic) to western and Nyanza regions, and in response to the outcry from Mt Kenya, God intervened and took Raila’s life.
“Because the plan that had been hatched, if you look keenly, for you who do not travel because I was in that region, all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans…it seemed like they did away with us but God came and brought this thing (death).”
“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? He came through in his own way. He saw in heaven people are disagreeing a lot and came for Baba so that he can go and smooth things up there.”
He continued, as a section of the mourners cheered him on:
“Let us now stay alert and monitor the happenings of our political environment and stay woke. Let us also ask our churches to interrogate well, listen and look keenly, because this Bwana asifiwe should not be taken casually. When it is said Bwana asifiwe let us ask which bwana. Because this other one that came, left us crying in the toilet”.
Leaders and Kenyans from across the board have expressed shock at Mr Kahiga’s remarks, terming them “callous”, “reckless” and “uncalled for” since the Odinga family and the nation are still in mourning.
They condemned the governor, saying he was “insensitive”, “uncouth” and called him out, with Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi urging his immediate impeachment over the "reckless" remarks.
The Council of Governors (CoG) condemned and distanced itself from the comments that have been greeted with collective rebuke online.
“We wish to disassociate in total with the sentiments of Governor Kahiga and note that those are personal remarks that do not reflect or represent the views of the Council of Governors and especially at this time of deep mourning,” the CoG said in a statement.
“We note that the comments are indeed reckless, insensitive, sad and unfortunate. It is inhumane and unacceptable to celebrate his death on account of perceived political calculations. H.E Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga was and will forever remain a Statesman whose contributions are embedded in the annals of our Country’s History.”
The council sought to remind Mr Kahiga that the late Odinga fought for devolution, courtesy of which he is a governor.
“He was not only the architect and father of Devolution but its key protector and ardent supporter. He was a father, a husband, a grandfather, a brother and many things to many people. We, as a nation, owe him immense respect both in life and in death”.
The council has also convened an urgent meeting this morning to deliberate on the matter, besides issuing a statement dissociating itself from Mr Kahiga’s comments.
Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga, who is also the chairperson of ODM, on Tuesday evening said, “Kahiga must immediately resign as vice chairman of the Council of Governors”.
“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 of the Vice Chairman of the Council of Governors, it is utterly absurd and astonishing,” she said in a statement.
“We therefore demand that he resigns from this position with immediate effect. The CoG cannot have a loose mouth, reckless, primitive and irresponsible person holding such a position. He is a disgrace to the country and the people of Nyeri County.”
Before his sudden death, she said, Odinga expressed shock at the capacity of human beings to be evil and heartless, and Mr Kahiga’s remarks appear to have taken the trend to a new low.
The ODM leader’s concern stemmed from social media reports of his death and images of his “body” being received at the Lee Funeral Home.
“Today, Governor Mutahi Kahiga came out with a very rare admission: that for him and his supporters, Raila's death was their prayer answered. Kahiga has long thrived on bursts of false and outrageous allegations, personal insults, fear mongering and ethnic profiling, especially when it comes to the Luo nation and Raila Odinga,” she said.
"As Kahiga’s colleague, I am ashamed of his words. I am offended as chairperson of ODM and a believer in Raila Odinga and what he bequeathed our country, I take serious offense at Kahiga's outbursts.”
She castigated the Nyeri County boss for mocking the freedoms that the late Odinga fought for, including freedom of speech.
“The late Raila Odinga put his life on the line to fight for the freedoms that Kenyans enjoy today, spending nights in detention and prison. His determination to be among the gallant sons and daughters of the soil who championed for the second liberation of our country and the selfless sacrifice for our nation is a clear indicator that he had the country’s interests at heart,” she said.
“During his time, the late Odinga believed in a Kenya where everyone enjoyed the freedom of speech and democracy, fought for a stronger devolution, equity and equality for all regardless of where you come from and a united Kenyan. For someone of Governor Kahiga’s caliber who is a beneficiary of Raila’s sweat, scars and tears to make such derogatory remarks of a man who spent most of his life fighting for change in the country, is disgraceful and shameful”.
