The Council of Governors (CoG) has unanimously voted to remove Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga from his position as Vice Chairperson, following widespread outrage over remarks he made about the late ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
Kahiga’s removal came shortly after he announced his own resignation, moments before an extraordinary CoG meeting convened to discuss his conduct.
Kahiga was caught on camera making comments that many perceived as celebrating Raila’s death, sparking public anger and strong condemnation across the political spectrum.
“In view of this meeting, the Council has unanimously agreed to remove Kahiga Mutahi from the leadership of the Council as Vice Chairperson with immediate effect. We have also agreed that we will hold another meeting where a new Vice Chair will be elected,” said CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, who also serves as Wajir Governor.
Abdullahi said the Council was deeply disappointed by Kahiga’s remarks, distancing the institution from his statements.
“We reiterate our deep disappointment with the Governor’s statement. His sentiments were personal and do not reflect or represent the views or values of the Council of Governors. We therefore dissociate ourselves and condemn these utterances, which were untimely, reckless and unspeakable—especially at this time of deep mourning,” he stated.
The governors also urged political leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public comments, saying Kenya’s high level of political awareness demands maturity and sensitivity in communication.
“In a country where political awareness runs high, leaders must exercise both caution and a deep sense of responsibility in their utterances,” the CoG said in a joint communiqué.
During the funeral in Nyeri County, Kahiga had claimed that the political arrangement between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga had shifted government development priorities towards the Nyanza region, sidelining Mt. Kenya.
Speaking in his native Kikuyu dialect, he told mourners that Raila’s death had “levelled the political playing field” and would force all players, including President Ruto, to “return to the drawing board” ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Amid the backlash, Kahiga issued a public apology:
“I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Mama Ida, her children Rosemary, Junior and Winnie, Senator Oburu Oginga, Ruth Odinga, the extended family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo nation, and Kenyans at large—for any harm my words may have caused,” he said.
He then announced his resignation from the CoG leadership position, saying:
“I am taking responsibility and resigning with immediate effect as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors.”
Kahiga, who had been re-elected to the position on October 6, 2025, maintained that his comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
“What I meant was that under the broad-based government, we have shared development, and politically, the loss of Raila sends everyone back to the drawing board. As the saying goes, God takes the best,” he explained.
