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'They are comments from small minds': Odinga family forgives Governor Kahiga over Raila remarks
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga (left) and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family has publicly forgiven Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over his controversial utterances that appeared to celebrate the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The elder brother of Raila, Dr Oburu Oginga, said Mr Kahiga had been forgiven and is free to visit the Odingas’ home to mourn, albeit with a condition that he expresses remorse.
Speaking on Sunday night on NTV, Dr Odinga, who is the family head and Siaya Senator, said "...those comments do not annoy me. I take them as childish and excuse them. They are comments from small minds...you take grudge with them and your heart can stop earlier than God's plan".
When Raila died aged 80 years on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India, Mr Kahiga was later quoted saying, "this death is a godsend to us Mt Kenya people".
Speaking at a burial ceremony in Kieni Constituency, Mr Kahiga said: “it was God's way of making the government reconsider taking public resources to Luo Nyanza and instead induce a back-to-the-drawing-board moment to reconsider Mt Kenya's stake in government.
Following Mr Kahiga's utterances, a wave of condemnation erupted in the country to a point that Homa Bay governor Ms Gladys Wanga announced a movement embargo into Bondo against the governor.
"We now know our friends and we know on whose behalf Mr Kahiga spoke... Those kinds of people should never set their feet in Bondo..." she said, in turn attracting harsh criticism for what was seen as a reaction not any different from what she was fighting.
Mr Kahiga, on October 22, issued a public apology and also stepped down as the vice chair of the Council of Governors.
"From the very onset I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of Mr Odinga that includes his widow Mama Ida, her children and the larger extended family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation and Kenyans at large, and to my colleague leaders from all sides of the political divide for any harm that it my speech has elicited," he said.
He said his remarks were in no way celebratory.
"What I meant is that under the current broad-based government, we have seen skewed development and politically, the loss of Mr Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board. As the popular saying goes, 'God takes the best and it is in this context that I made those remarks in vernacular," he said.
Dr Oginga said the family does not hold a grudge against the governor.
"No one is banned from coming to Kang'o ka Jaramogi to mourn with us... Including Mr Kahiga, if he is remorseful. If he wants to come to mourn with us, I have excused him," Dr Oginga said.
Siaya Senator Oginga Oburu during an interview with NTV at Serena Hotel Nairobi on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
He said that "the Jaramogi family will forever aspire to be friends of all... and as the current head of that family, we have forgiven Mr Kahiga".
He cryptically said there should never be permanent enemies, even in politics, since the cyclic nature of fortunes can demand that people work together.
Also Read: Governor Mutahi Kahiga resigns from CoG post amid backlash over remarks on Raila Odinga's death
The Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman, Wachira Kiago, responded with gratitude, saying "Dr Oburu has, on behalf of his family, exhibited unrivaled wisdom".
He said the Kahiga issue had widened the political and social gap between Mt Kenya and the Jaramogi family but with the forgiveness comes pacification of emotions.
"Such wisdom and friendliness define what the late Odinga stood for. Dr Oburu Oginga now proves to us that there is hope that we can at all times rise above pettiness and pursue what unites us rather than what divides us," he said.
Mr Kiago urged Mr Kahiga to take advantage of that forgiveness and be part of a delegation to Kang'o ka Jaramogi on Thursday that will be led by Kalonzo Musyoka.
Mr Musyoka announced on Saturday that he will lead a delegation from the Mt Kenya region to Bondo to mourn Mr Odinga.
Mr Musyoka, who was accompanied by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said "nowadays Mt Kenya includes the Akamba community now known as Mt Kenya South", adding that "I have seen others take bulls and goats...it is our turn now and I invite as many as possible to join us".
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