- Tharaka Governor Nithi Muthomi Njuki was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Council of Governors during a full council meeting in Naivasha
- The election of the county governor was unanimous, showing strong support from his fellow county governors
- The position was vacant since Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga resigned due to controversial remarks about the late Raila Odinga.
- Njuki promised to maintain the integrity of the office and advance the Council’s agenda in his acceptance statement
Tharaka Governor Nithi Muthomi Njuki has been elected Vice Chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG), filling the position left vacant by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
Source: Facebook
The decision came during a full council meeting held on Wednesday, November 19, in Naivasha, the county of Nakuru.
Njuki’s elevation was announced immediately after a meeting with the CoG Chairman and Wajir governor Ahmed Abdullahi.
The election of Governor Njuki was unanimous, indicating strong support from his fellow county heads in the meeting.
In his acceptance statement, Njuki described the appointment as a great honor and promised to maintain the integrity of the office while advancing the Council’s agenda.
“My dear colleagues, my fellow governors, it is with a heart full of great gratitude and great humility that I accept the great trust you have given me to serve as the Vice Chairman of this distinguished body. I promise to maintain the integrity of the office and work in cooperation to advance the Council’s agenda,” the county boss said.
Why did Kahiga resign from CoG?
The position had been vacant since October 22, when Governor Kahiga resigned following public outrage over controversial remarks he made on the death of the former prime minister. Raila Odinga.
In a video that went viral on social media, Kahiga hinted that the ODM leader’s death was “God’s work”, benefiting the political interests of Mount Kenya.
Kahiga, speaking in his native Gikuyu region during the funeral in Kieni state, claimed that Raila’s death redressed the political imbalance that was favoring the Western and Nyanza regions.
“You can see, you can see what was planned, but God brought something. Now it’s a big mess. Everyone can see that. We didn’t hate anyone, but God helped us,” he said as reported by the Nation.
He further claimed that resources meant for Mt Kenya had been diverted elsewhere and that divine intervention had restored balance.
The remarks were widely condemned as insensitive and politically motivated, leading to calls for Kahiga’s removal from his leadership position within the CoG.
Source: UGC
Following the opposition, the Council convened an extraordinary meeting and resolved to officially remove Kahiga from the position of vice chairman.
In a subsequent statement, Kahiga apologized, stressing that his views were personal and should not reflect on the Council.
“Recognizing the great public interest that this issue has brought, I am responsible for my statements. Therefore, therefore, I have decided that immediately, I will resign as the vice chairman of the Council of Governors,” he said.
How did Nyeri leaders respond to Kahiga’s remarks?
Elsewhere, a group of leaders from Nyeri, led by Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi, planned to visit Raila’s family there Bondo to apologize for the remarks made by Kahiga.
The leaders separated the Kikuyu community and Kahiga’s statement that linked Raila’s death with God’s grace for Mount Kenya.
Wamumbi said the visit was to show unity and regret, adding that Kahiga’s remarks did not reflect the views of the community.
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