- Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga made remarks that seemed to celebrate the death of former prime minister Raila Odinga
- Kahiga faced many arguments from politicians, with some asking him to resign from his position as vice chairman of the Council of Governors
- Responding, Kahiga defended his remarks claiming that they were taken out of context, when he resigned from his position as the vice chairman of the Council of Governors
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga faced tension over his controversial remarks that appeared to celebrate the death of the former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Source: Facebook
While speaking at the funeral in Kieni, Kahiga appeared to refer to Raila’s death as divine intervention.
He claimed that Raila’s death will now cause the government to focus on the Mt Kenya area.
In response to the blows he received, the county boss took the step of resigning from the position of vice-chairman of the Council of Governors.
“Recognizing the great public interest that this matter has brought, I take responsibility for my opinion. Therefore, I have decided to resign with immediate effect as the vice-chairman of the Council of Governors,” Kahiga said.
“As I do so, I also pray that the soul of the honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga may continue to rest in eternal peace,” he added.
Mutahi Kahiga defends his remarks
The governor also took the opportunity to defend his remarks.
Source: Facebook
He said that his comments about Raila were not celebratory, suggesting that Kenyans did not understand his references to the Bible.
“A popular saying says that God takes the best, and it was in this context that I made those remarks in the local language. I should also make it clear that the remarks I made are my personal opinion and therefore not related in any way to the position of the community or any political positions,” Kahiga said.
Kahiga acknowledged the seriousness of his remarks and apologized to the family of the late prime minister, including Mama Ida Odinga and Winnie Odingaamong others.
Was there a call for Mutahi Kahiga to resign?
Kahiga’s decision was followed by calls from politicians to ask him to resign as vice chairman of the Council of Governors.
Governor of Homa Bay and national chairman of ODM Gladys Wanga he was among the politicians who criticized Kahiga due to his remarks.
“It is bad behavior, indiscipline, hateful and unacceptable for Mr. Kahiga to make such remarks. In fact, from a person who holds a respected position as the vice chairman of the Council of Governors, it is absurd and shocking. Therefore, we ask him to resign from this position immediately,” Starch said.
Wanga said that Raila had dedicated most of his life to fight for the country’s democracy, thus making it difficult for Kahiga, the beneficiary of the devolution he fought for, to speak in that way.
Furthermore, he referred to Kahiga’s statement that the Nyanza region has been benefiting from the wider government, saying that the development there is little compared to what happened in the Mt Kenya region since the era of Jomo Kenyatta.
Ruth Odinga responds to Mutahi Kahiga’s remarks
Kahiga’s decision came a few hours after Raila’s family responded to his remarks
Raila’s sister, Ruth Odingawho also serves as Kisumu women’s representative, expressed his dismay at Kahiga’s remarks.
He told Kahiga that he should be ashamed of himself for the comments he made.
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