By Rodgers Wagura
Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga yesterday issued a public apology following widespread outrage over remarks he made, which many Kenyans perceived as insensitive to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga’s death.
In a press briefing at his residence in Nyeri town, Kahiga apologised and sought forgiveness from the Odinga family, the ODM fraternity and Kenyans at large, stating that his words were misunderstood and not meant to celebrate the opposition leader’s demise.
“I want to sincerely apologize 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, Hon. MP Ruth Odinga, and the larger ODM fraternity,” said Kahiga.
He clarified that his comments, made in Kikuyu language were meant to reflect on the political implications of Raila’s death, not to demean his legacy.
“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. Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board,” he explained.
The governor emphasized that his remarks were personal opinions and not representative of the Nyeri community, his political party, or the Council of Governors (CoG).
At the same time, Kahiga announced his resignation as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors, taking “full responsibility for the real and perceived meaning” of his words. “With immediate effect, I step down as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” he stated, adding, “May the soul of the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga continue resting in eternal peace.”
However, the apology did little to quell the growing political storm across the country.
From his backyard, a section of leaders across the political spectrum condemned the governor’s remarks, terming them reckless, disrespectful, and unbecoming of a county leader.
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga led the charge, describing Kahiga’s statement as “unbefitting of a leader of such standing.” He called on Kahiga to take the next step and resign as governor. “The first step he has taken is to resign as CoG deputy chair. The second should be to resign as governor. Nyeri cannot be led by someone who makes such reckless utterances,” Wamatinga said.
Wamatinga noted that Nyeri residents revere Raila for his role in Kenya’s democracy, especially in the struggle for the 2010 Constitution.
“We disassociate ourselves completely from his remarks. As Nyeri, we mourn with the family of Raila Odinga and the rest of the country,” he said.
Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina accused Kahiga of dishonouring the dead and called for his resignation, citing a pattern of divisive statements.
“This is not the first time. He once said ‘kama mbaya ni mbaya,’ and made comments about a certain community that were derogatory. This is the third time he’s being reckless,” Wainaina said, urging the DCP party, which Kahiga supports, to take disciplinary action.
Nyeri Town MP Maina Mathenge observed, “Nyeri has produced great leaders like Wangari Maathai, Mwai Kibaki, and Dedan Kimathi. Kahiga has shamed our county. We call for his resignation with immediate effect.”
Othaya MP Wambugu Wainaina echoed similar sentiments, saying Kahiga’s remarks had “messed Nyeri’s reputation nationally.” He urged the governor to vacate office, adding, “There’s no shortage of good leaders in Nyeri. He should just resign.”
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi termed the remarks “a mockery of the dead,” warning that such utterances could ignite ethnic tension. “In our culture, it is taboo to mock the dead. What he did is disrespectful not only to the Odinga family but to all Kenyans,” he said.
Wamumbi also revealed that Nyeri leaders, accompanied by cultural elders and women groups, plan to visit Mama Ida Odinga to convey their apologies on behalf of Nyeri residents.
“We shall personally visit Mama Ida and the family to express our condolences and say sorry for the governor’s statements,” he said.
John Kamau 
Mt Kenya Times