Nyeri Governor Muthi Kahiga is facing a fierce backlash from political leaders and the public after making controversial comments on Raila’s death that have been widely condemned as politicizing and mocking the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The governor, speaking in his native Kikuyu language at a burial ceremony in Nyeri, suggested that Odinga’s passing was a divine intervention to restore the Mt Kenya region’s access to state resources, which he claimed had been diverted to other areas.
In a short video that has gone viral on social media, Kahiga argued that the political understanding between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga had shifted government development priorities toward the Nyanza region. He implied that Raila’s death had “levelled the playing field,” forcing all political players—including the President—to return to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“You guys can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion,” Kahiga said. “We did not harbor hate for anyone, but God came through for us. Because the plan that had been hatched… all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans… but God came and brought this thing.”
He continued with even more provocative imagery: “So now people have been told to go back to the drawing board… But who is God? Does he take ugali at somebody’s house or sleep in Kayole? He came through in his own way. He saw up there people in heaven are disagreeing a lot and came for Baba so that he can go and smoothen things up there.”
The comments have drawn widespread condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum, who have described them as insensitive, divisive, and dangerous.
East African Community (EAC) Principal Secretary Dr. Caroline Karugu was among the first to respond, calling Kahiga’s remarks “silly and deeply unfortunate.”
“Governor Kahiga’s celebratory remarks that Luo-Nyanza will now be poorer because Raila Odinga is no more are silly and deeply unfortunate,” Dr. Karugu stated. “They do not reflect the views of the majority of us from the region. Even the wicked should have the decency to let mourners grieve in peace. Truly, from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks—and we will know them by their words.”
Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga echoed these sentiments, accusing the governor of fueling ethnic divisions during a period of national mourning.
“Ethnic profiling is unacceptable, more so when it comes from elected leaders,” Omanga said. “For Governor Muthi Kahiga to stoke division while the nation mourns a hero is not just irresponsible, it’s dangerous. He must be held accountable.”
The incident has ignited a fierce debate about the responsibility of elected leaders and the boundaries of political discourse, particularly during times of national grief. As Kenyans continue to mourn the passing of a pivotal political figure, calls are growing for accountability and a return to more unifying language from the nation’s leadership.
