Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who is currently facing public
outrage over remarks made at a funeral that appeared to celebrate the death of
former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is no stranger to controversy.
Earlier this year, Kahiga was forced to apologize to the
Maasai community following a slur he made during a funeral in Laikipia County
on February 10, 2025.
Speaking in his native Kikuyu language, the governor made
remarks implying that men from the Maasai community walked without
undergarments — a statement that sparked nationwide condemnation.
Kahiga was accused of using the remarks as an innuendo to
highlight his political frustrations with the Kenya Kwanza government.
A day later, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku demanded a
public apology, describing the remarks as “unwarranted, unfortunate, unprovoked
and demeaning.”
Kahiga later issued a statement expressing remorse,
clarifying that his comments had been taken out of context and that he held
deep respect for the Maa community.
“I’ve been informed that the comments have irked the Maa
community, and I would like to send my apologies to anyone who I may have
offended,” he said.
“We did not intend to offend, condemn or ridicule anyone.”
On February 19, 2025, Kahiga and his Laikipia counterpart
Joshua Irungu led a delegation of Kikuyu Council of Elders to Kajiado to
deliver a formal apology to the Maa leadership.
Governor Lenku acknowledged the gesture, saying it helped
mend ties between the two communities.
Months later, Kahiga has once again found himself at the
center of public criticism — this time over a vernacular clip circulating on
social media in which he was accused of making celebratory comments following
Raila Odinga’s death.
The remarks were widely condemned across the political
divide, prompting the governor to issue a statement on October 22, 2025,
apologizing to the Odinga family and the nation.
In the statement, 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, and to Kenyans at large for any harm that my
remarks have elicited.”
He explained that his comments were not celebratory but were
meant to reflect on Kenya’s political transition, saying,
“What I meant is that under the current broad-based
government, we have seen skewed development and politically, the loss of the
Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board.”
Kahiga further clarified that the comments represented his
personal views and were not reflective of the Council of Governors or any
political affiliation.
Acknowledging the public backlash, the governor announced
his resignation as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors, saying:
“I am taking responsibility for the real and perceived
meaning of my remarks and, as a result, I have decided with immediate effect to
step down.”
