Governors Convene Urgent Meeting After Mutahi Kahiga’s Remarks on Raila Odinga’s Death

Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s remarks about the late Raila Odinga have sparked national outrage, prompting the Council of Governors (CoG) to convene an emergency meeting to address the fallout. The council, chaired by Wajir governor Ahmed Abdullahi, distanced itself from Kahiga’s statements, describing them as insensitive and unacceptable during a period of national mourning.

Raila Odinga’s passing sent shockwaves across Kenya and beyond, drawing tributes from global and local leaders who hailed him as a visionary and unifying statesman. His burial took place only days before Kahiga’s controversial speech, which many Kenyans perceived as mocking the former prime minister’s death. Speaking at a funeral in Kieni on Tuesday, October 21, the Nyeri governor claimed Raila’s death was an act of “divine intervention,” suggesting that the late opposition leader had hindered development in certain regions, including Nyeri County.

Why Did the Council of Governors Condemn Kahiga’s Remarks?

In a statement released shortly after the remarks went viral, CoG chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi strongly condemned Kahiga’s comments, calling them “reckless, insensitive, sad, and unfortunate.” Abdullahi emphasized that the statements were personal and did not represent the council’s position or the sentiments of Kenya’s leadership. “The Council of Governors wishes to disassociate itself in total with the sentiments of Governor Kahiga and notes that those are personal remarks that do not reflect or represent the views of the council, especially at this time of deep mourning,” he stated.

Abdullahi went on to describe the comments as “inhumane and unacceptable,” stressing that it was wrong to celebrate anyone’s death on political grounds. He praised Raila’s role in shaping modern Kenya, noting that “Raila was and will forever remain a statesman whose contributions are embedded in the annals of Kenya’s history. He was not only the architect and father of devolution but also its key protector and ardent supporter.”

Abdullahi announced that he had convened an extraordinary council meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 22, to deliberate on the matter and issue further guidance. “In light of the above, I have convened an urgent extraordinary council meeting to be held tomorrow morning to deliberate on these unfortunate utterances and further statement will follow,” he confirmed.

By Lucky Anyanje