Mutahi Kahiga Issues Apology Over Raila Remarks, Steps Down from CoG Position
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned as the Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following mounting public outrage over remarks he made regarding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
His resignation comes just hours after the CoG, under the leadership of Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, had called for an urgent, extraordinary meeting to deliberate on possible sanctions against him.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Governor Kahiga apologised to Raila Odinga’s family, the ODM fraternity, and Kenyans at large, expressing regret that his remarks had been misinterpreted and caused distress during a period of national mourning.
“I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of the Rt. Hon Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga; Mama Ida Odinga, her children Rosemary, Junior, and Winnie, Hon. Senator Oburu Odinga, and Hon. MP Ruth Odinga, the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation, and Kenyans at large,” Kahiga said in the statement.
“My 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 the Rt. Hon Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board,” he clarified.
The governor said he decided to step down from his position as CoG Vice Chair to take full responsibility for both the real and perceived harm caused by his remarks.
“In noting the huge public interest that this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility of the real and perceived meaning of my remarks and as a result therefore, I have decided that with immediate effect to step down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” his statement read.
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Kahiga on Tuesday evening, while addressing residents, openly claimed that the former Prime Minister's death was a blessing for the Mt Kenya region, which he alleged had long suffered since the formation of the broad-based government.
The remarks sparked widespread outrage, with leaders from across the political divide, including members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), unanimously condemning him.
