Mutahi Kahiga, the Governor of Nyeri County
By Kimberly Kalusi
Mutahi Kahiga, the Governor of Nyeri County, has come under intense scrutiny and widespread condemnation after making remarks suggesting that the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga represented an answered prayer for his Kikuyu community.
His comments were made during a local funeral service on October 21 and have been described by many as divisive, insensitive and contrary to national unity.
Speaking in Kikuyu, Kahiga claimed that Odinga’s pact with President William Ruto had diverted development away from the Mount Kenya region.
He implied that with Odinga’s death, the region would now receive the resources it was owed. With cheers from his audience, the governor said the time had come for other regions to benefit.
Political leaders, civil society groups, and members of the public have denounced the governor’s remarks as reckless and unbecoming of a public official. Many have called for him to apologise or resign, warning that such rhetoric could inflame existing ethnic tensions.
“This is not the time for careless talk that divides Kenyans,” one Central Kenya MP said. “We should be united in grief, not exploiting it for political mileage.”
Others argued that Kahiga’s comments undermined ongoing efforts to foster national unity following the death of Odinga — a man celebrated across the country for his decades-long struggle for democracy, justice, and inclusion.
Human rights organisations also criticised the governor’s tone, saying his statement violated the principles of leadership and integrity enshrined in Chapter Six of the Constitution. “Public officers are expected to promote cohesion and respect, not use funerals to advance sectarian narratives,” said one activist.
The backlash underscores how deeply the passing of Odinga has resonated across Kenya’s political and social landscape. For many, his death marked the end of an era in which he stood as a unifying figure, often urging dialogue across political and ethnic divides.
Governor Kahiga has yet to issue an official apology or clarification. Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount, with calls from across the political spectrum urging him to retract his remarks and reaffirm his commitment to national unity.
As Kenya continues to mourn one of its most consequential political figures, many observers warn that such divisive rhetoric risks undoing the spirit of togetherness that Odinga’s passing has briefly inspired across the nation.
On X formerly Tweeter,political leaders wrote there displeasure here are some of the comments:
Silvanus Osoro, Member of Parliament for South Mugirango, wrote: “It is un-African to dance on the grave of the departed, worse of it, for the reason of political differences! The element of appearing like inciting a whole community against another is something else…”
Oscar Sudi, MP for Kapsaret, added: “Governor Mutahi Kahiga…why are you pushing one community against the wall when the country is yet to come to terms with the loss of Baba Raila? Stirring tribal tensions is irresponsible and reckless. Shame on you!”
Willis Otieno, leader of the Safina Party, said, “To stand at a funeral and celebrate the death of another Kenyan, worse, a national icon, is moral decay dressed as tribal bravado… The Governor owes the country an apology.”
Ruth Odinga, the late Raila`s sister and Kisumu Woman Representative, simply posted: “A whole governor, shame on you!”
