Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has apologised over remarks he made about the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and announced his resignation as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors (CoG).
In a statement on Wednesday, Kahiga said his comments, captured in a vernacular clip circulating on social media, had been misunderstood and taken out of context.
“From the very onset, I want to sincerely apologize to our mourning nation, the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mama Ida, her children, Senator Oburu Odinga, Hon. Ruth Odinga, the extended family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo nation and Kenyans at large, for any harm that it has elicited,” he said.
He stated that the remarks were made during a burial in his home village and denied claims that he made them in celebration of Raila’s passing.
“My remarks were in no way celebratory. What I meant is that under the current broad-based government we have seen skewed development, and politically, the loss of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board,” he said.
Kahiga noted that his comments did not represent the views of any political grouping, community, or the Council of Governors.
“The remarks I made are my personal views and therefore should in no way be associated with a community’s position or any political affiliation, nor the Council of Governors,” he noted.
He said he was taking responsibility for the public reaction caused by his comments and subsequently announced his resignation from his CoG leadership role.
“In noting the huge public interest this issue has generated, I’m taking responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks, and as a result, I have decided that with immediate effect I am stepping down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” he added.
