Governor Kahiga Resigns from CoG Post After Fury Over Raila’s Death Comments

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned from his national leadership position following a wave of condemnation across the country.

Governor Kahiga issued a formal apology after making remarks regarding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The comments, which were deemed celebratory and insensitive, sparked widespread national fury.

The Governor decided to step down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors (CoG) with immediate effect.

The Core Claim That Sparked Fury

The controversy erupted after a vernacular clip of the Governor circulated on social media. The video went viral on the evening of Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Kahiga made the remarks while attending a burial ceremony in his home village.

In his speech, Governor Kahiga suggested that Odinga’s death was a positive development for the Central Kenya region. He claimed the passing was a "blessing in disguise" for Mt Kenya. He maintained that government resources would now be freed up for Central Kenya.

Kahiga argued that a political understanding between the former Prime Minister and President William Ruto had previously redirected development priorities towards the Nyanza region.

He suggested that political actors were now forced to "go back to the drawing board" before the 2027 General Election.

"For you who do not travel because I was in that region, all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans, because it seemed like they did away with us, but God came and brought this thing".

Pressure Mounts from All Sides

The controversial comments came shortly after the burial of Raila Odinga, who died on Wednesday, October 15. Kahiga’s statements drew immediate and strong condemnation from leaders across the political divide.

The Council of Governors (CoG) responded promptly to the "outrageous, provocative and widely condemned remarks." The CoG stated that they wished to "disassociate in total" from the Nyeri Governor’s personal views.

READ ALSO: The Reason Nyeri governor Kahiga is Trending in Regard to Raila’s Death

CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi convened an urgent Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting for Wednesday, October 22.

The Council condemned the celebration of the death of a statesman "on account of perceived political calculations". They described the remarks as "reckless, insensitive, sad, and unfortunate".

Several high-profile figures joined the criticism. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru described the comments as "callous and irresponsible".

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei demanded a public apology. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi condemned the comments as divisive and unworthy of a national leader.

"Governor Kahiga’s celebratory remarks that Luo-Nyanza will now be poorer because Raila Odinga is no more are silly and deeply unfortunate".

Humble Pie and Resignation

On Wednesday, October 22, Governor Kahiga released a press statement addressing the situation.

He offered a sincere apology to the Odinga family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation, and Kenyans at large.

He insisted that his remarks were in no way celebratory. Kahiga explained that he meant that the loss of the former Prime Minister sends everyone back to the drawing board politically.

He stated clearly that the remarks were his personal views and not those of any community or political affiliation, including the Council of Governors.

“Let me make it clear that the remarks I made are my personal views and therefore should in no way be associated with a community's position or any political affiliation, nor the Council of Governors.”

Finally, noting the "huge public interest" generated by the issue, Governor Kahiga announced his resignation. He stated he was "taking responsibility of the real and perceived meaning of my remarks".

As a result, he stepped down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors immediately.

“As a result, therefore, I have decided that with immediate effect to step down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors.”