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Mbarire: UDA to discipline Kahiga over Raila death remarks
UDA chairperson Ms Cecily Mbarire and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will take disciplinary action against Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga for making disrespectful remarks over the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
This is according to UDA chairperson Ms Cecily Mbarire.
Speaking when she joined her Meru and Tharaka Nithi counterparts, Isaac Mutuma and Muthomi Njuki, respectively, for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on waste management at Kathwana,
Ms Mbarire said the party would not condone such behaviour.
She also defended the Ruto administration on its development record.
While assessing mourners in Kieni constituency on Tuesday, Mr Kahiga made remarks in which he appeared to celebrate the death of Odinga, claiming that President Ruto had diverted all development projects meant for the Mt Kenya region to Nyanza and Western regions and that God had come through for the region by taking the life of the former Prime Minister.
Leaders and Kenyans condemned Mr Kahiga after a video captured him making the remarks was widely circulated on social media.
The three governors distanced themselves from the remarks and accused him of fanning divisions.
"As the UDA party, we disassociated ourselves from the sentiments by Governor Kahiga and have cautioned him to adhere to the ideals of the ruling party,” Ms Mbarire said.
“Now that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission has summoned him, we will also take action at the party level. We will write to him on the next course of action,” she added.
She disputed the sentiments by Mr Kahiga, saying the Mt Kenya region is enjoying several government projects, including in housing, electrification, roads and health.
"It is not true that development is going to only one region of Kenya. Plans are underway for dualling of the Makutano - Embu - Meru road which will ease transport through this corridor. As a region, we remain fully behind President Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki," she said.
Also Read: Governor Mutahi Kahiga resigns from CoG post amid backlash over remarks on Raila Odinga's death
Governor Njuki said the remarks by Mr Kahiga were against cultural norms and cannot represent the region's opinion.
"It is a shame and unacceptable that we are associated with those remarks. Our people are decent and are mourning a respectable leader. Whatever development projects are being done in other parts of the country is their right. As a region, we have a fair share of development," he said.
Meru governor Isaac Mutuma said the Mt Kenya East region does not feel sidelined in any way by President Ruto’s administration.
He cited the redesign of Nithi Bridge, the upgrade of Meru Level Five Hospital, the construction of several markets and the upgrade of stadiums as key projects by the current administration.
“It is not true that Mt Kenya has not been getting development from the national government. We are solidly behind President William Ruto because of the work he is doing in Meru and across the region,” Mr Mutuma said.
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