Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has demanded the immediate resignation of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over what she termed as “callous and despicable” remarks about the late ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Wanga accused Kahiga of “appearing to celebrate” Raila’s death during a funeral in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County.

“Yesterday’s remarks by the Governor of Nyeri County, Mutahi Kahiga, at a funeral in Kieni constituency, appearing to celebrate the death of our Party Leader the late Raila Amolo Odinga, are not only nefarious but unbelievable and utterly despicable from a man calling himself a leader,” Wanga said.

The Homa Bay Governor said Kahiga’s comments were an insult to the memory of a man who had dedicated his life to fighting for Kenya’s democracy and freedoms.

“The late Raila Odinga put his life on the line to fight for the freedoms that Kenyans enjoy today, spending nights in detention and prison,” she added.
“His selfless sacrifice and his role in championing the second liberation of our country clearly showed that he had Kenya’s interests at heart.”

According to Wanga, Kahiga’s words were particularly disgraceful given that he benefits from the political freedoms for which Odinga and others fought.

“For someone of Governor Kahiga’s calibre, who is a beneficiary of Raila’s sweat, scars and tears, to make such derogatory remarks about a man who dedicated his life to change in this country is shameful and unacceptable,” she stated.

Wanga also dismissed Kahiga’s claim that the Western Kenya region had enjoyed more government development compared to other areas, terming it false and misleading.

“It is worth noting that the Western Kenya region he decries has nothing compared to what his region has benefited from since independence,” she said.

Describing Kahiga’s utterances as “bad manners, uncouth, pusillanimous and unacceptable,” Wanga said his conduct was unbecoming of a national leader and tarnished the integrity of the Council of Governors (CoG), where he serves as Vice Chairman.

“Coming from someone who occupies a respectable position as the Vice Chairman of the Council of Governors, it is utterly absurd and astonishing,” she remarked.
“The CoG cannot have a reckless person holding such a position.”

Wanga demanded that Kahiga resign from his post at the Council of Governors with immediate effect, insisting that ODM would not remain silent in the face of disrespect toward Raila Odinga’s legacy.

“The late Raila believed in a Kenya where everyone enjoyed freedom, equality, and unity. As a party, we will continue to defend his memory as a symbol of sacrifice and patriotism,” she said.

The remarks by Governor Kahiga have sparked sharp debate across the political divide, with ODM maintaining that he must take responsibility for his statements and step down from his leadership position.