NYERI, Kenya, Oct. 22, 2025 — Nyeri County Governor Dr. Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga has apologized and resigned following backlash over controversial remarks he made regarding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, he announced in a statement to The Juba Mirror News, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.
In a one-page statement, Kahiga said his comments, captured in a vernacular-language video circulating on social media, were misunderstood and not meant to celebrate Odinga’s death.
“I want to take this moment to address issues that have emanated from a vernacular clip circulating on social media,” Kahiga said. “From the very onset, I want to sincerely apologize to our mourning nation, to the family of the Rt. Hon. former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga Mama Ida Odinga, her children Rosemary, Junior, and Winnie, Hon. Senator Oburu Odinga and MP Ruth Odinga, their siblings and extended family as well as to the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation, and Kenyans at large.”
Kahiga explained that the remarks were made while attending a burial in his home village and said they were taken out of context.
“My remarks were in no way celebratory,” he said. “What I meant is that under the current broad-based government, we have witnessed skewed development and politics. The loss of Rt. Hon. Raila sends everyone back to the drawing board. As the saying goes, ‘God takes the best,’ and it is in that context that I made the remarks.”
He emphasized that the comments were personal and not representative of any community, political group, or the Council of Governors.
“The remarks I made are my personal views and should not be associated with any community position, political affiliation, or the Council of Governors,” Kahiga said.
Citing the public outrage that followed, Kahiga said he would step down from his leadership role in the Council of Governors.
“In noting the huge public interest this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks,” he said. “As a result, I have decided, with immediate effect, to step down as vice chair of the Council of Governors.”
Kahiga concluded his statement by expressing condolences to the Odinga family.
“May the soul of the Rt. Hon. former Prime Minister Raila Odinga continue resting in eternal peace,” he said.
