Council of Governors Convenes Extra-Ordinary Meeting After Nyeri's Mutahi Kahiga Celebrates Raila's Death

Published By The Statesman For The Statesman Digital
1 week ago

The Council of Governors has called for an extraordinary meeting following the outrageous, provocative and widely condemned remarks by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's death.

Kahiga on Tuesday evening sparked widespread outrage after making a provocative comment that appeared to mock Odinga's death.

Speaking in his native Kikuyu language, the Governor claimed that Odinga's death was a blessing in disguise for the Mt Kenya region, stating that the former Prime Minister's passing on would now free the government resources for the Central Kenya region.

Kahiga maintained that the former Prime Minister's handshake with President William Ruto had shifted government resources to the Nyanza region.

"You can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. Everybody can see that. We did not harbour hate for anyone, but God came through for us," Kahiga claimed.

Adding: "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."

His sentiments quickly drew public attention and criticism from Kenyans, including fellow Governors, Cabinet Secretaries and other senior government officials.

Following his remarks, the Council of Governors, through its Chairperson, Ahmed Abdullahi, on Tuesday evening, convened the extraordinary meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, to deliberate on possible actions against Kahiga.

"In light of the above, I have convened an urgent Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting to be held tomorrow morning to deliberate on these unfortunate utterances, and further statements will follow," the CoG Chairperson announced.

While condemning Governor Kahiga's statement, the CoG termed their colleague's remarks as reckless, insensitive, sad and unfortunate.

The Council of Governors emphasised that the former Prime Minister, who died last week on Wednesday, was a statesman whose contributions were embedded in the annals of Kenyan history.

"It is inhumane and unacceptable to celebrate his death on account of perceived political calculations. Raila Odinga was and will forever remain a Statesman whose contributions are embedded in the annals of our country's history," the Governors noted.

"As the Council of Governors, we wish to disassociate in toto with the sentiments of Governor Kahiga and note that those are personal remarks that do not reflect or represent the views of the Council of Governors," they added.