The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has demanded the immediate resignation of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
This follows what the party described as callous and despicable remarks Kahiga made about the late party leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, Wanga condemned Kahiga’s comments made during a funeral in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri county, saying the governor was 'celebrating Odinga’s death'.
“Yesterday’s remarks by the Governor of Nyeri County Mutahi Kahiga at a funeral in Kieni constituency in his county 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,” the statement read.
Wanga said Kahiga’s comments amounted to an insult against the memory of a man who had dedicated his life to fighting for Kenya’s freedom and democracy.
“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 stated.
“His determination to be among the gallant sons and daughters of the soil who championed the second liberation of our country and the selfless sacrifice for our nation is a clear indicator that he had the country’s interests at heart.”
According to ODM, Kahiga’s words were especially disgraceful given that he is a beneficiary of the political freedoms that Odinga and others fought for.
“For someone of Governor Kahiga’s calibre who is a beneficiary of Raila’s sweat, scars and tears to make such derogatory remarks of a man who spent most of his life fighting for change in the country is disgraceful and shameful,” Wanga said.
Wanga further criticised the governor’s claim that the Western Kenya region had disproportionately benefited from government resources and development, calling it false and misleading.
“It is worth noting that the entire Western Kenya region that he decries as benefiting from government resources and development has nothing compared to what his region has benefited from since Kenya became independent,” she added.
The ODM Chairperson described Kahiga’s utterances as “bad manners, uncouth, pusillanimous and unacceptable.”
She said his conduct was unbecoming of a leader and tarnished the integrity of the Council of Governors (CoG), where he currently serves as the Vice Chairman.
“In fact, coming from someone who occupies a respectable position of the Vice Chairman of the Council of Governors, it is utterly absurd and astonishing,” the statement said.
Wanga demanded that Kahiga resign from his CoG position with immediate effect.
“The CoG cannot have a reckless person holding such a position,” she declared.
Wanga emphasised that ODM would not remain silent in the face of what she termed as disrespect towards Raila Odinga’s legacy.
She said the party stood united in defending the memory of its late leader, describing him as a symbol of sacrifice and patriotism.
“The late Raila believed in a Kenya where everyone enjoyed the freedom of speech and democracy, fought for stronger devolution, equity and equality for all regardless of where you come from and a united Kenya,” Wanga said.
She concluded her statement with a call for dignity and respect in national discourse, urging leaders to emulate Odinga’s selfless example.
The remarks by Mutahi Kahiga have sparked sharp debate across the political divide, with ODM insisting that Governor Kahiga must take responsibility for his words and vacate his position at the Council of Governors immediately.
