Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s
controversial remarks following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
have ignited a fresh political storm that risks widening the historical
political differences between Central Kenya and Nyanza.
Kahiga, a close ally of former Deputy
President Rigathi Gachagua, was captured on video saying President William Ruto
would now stop “diverting resources” to Nyanza, claiming the region’s
development projects were politically motivated by Raila’s support for the
broad-based government.
The comments, widely condemned as
insensitive and divisive, have reopened old wounds over regional inequality,
entitlement and political favouritism.
Since 2002, when Raila declared “Kibaki
Tosha”, Raila’s alliances transcended regions and ideologies, but often on the
opposite side of the Mt Kenya vote bloc.
Kahiga’s comments, though dismissed by Mt
Kenya leaders as personal opinion, have become symbolic of the fragility of
Kenya’s post-Raila unity, particularly between the Kikuyu and Luo political
bases.
ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga described the
remarks as “an insult to the spirit of national reconciliation”, arguing that
they exposed “a section of leadership that never believed in the unity Raila
Odinga stood for”.
She declared that ODM would not associate
with any political faction or figure linked to Gachagua, interpreting Kahiga’s
words as a reflection of his political alignment.
Further, an MCA at the presser declared
that Gachagua, who was said to be among guests who wanted to pay homage in
Bondo, “persona non-grata” in Nyanza, further deepening the divide.
Jubilee Party secretary general Jeremiah
Kioni went further, saying, “When a parrot insults a king, it is only repeating
its master’s words,” implying Kahiga spoke Gachagua’s language.
However, in a press statement in which he
issued an apology on Wednesday , Kahiga said the remarks were personal and did
not reflect on any political affiliation.
Gachagua’s deputy in DCP Cleopas Malala
said it was wrong for Wanga to link the former DP to the remarks as he had not
uttered any word.
Instead, Malala accused Wanga of being the
female version of Kahiga in trying to create a wedge between the Kikuyu and Luo
communities.
Jubilee, which is part of the United
Opposition, joined ODM in condemning the remarks as reckless and unpatriotic.
Even within the Mt Kenya region, Mathira MP
Eric Wamumbi, who hails from Gachagua’s home constituency, publicly urged him
to condemn Kahiga’s remarks and clarify his position.
“The country is waiting for leadership, not
silence,” he said, reflecting unease within political ranks about the impact of
the statement.
The incident has also reignited scrutiny of
Mt Kenya’s political realignment.
Since Gachagua’s impeachment and fallout
with Ruto, the region has largely turned against the government, with many
leaders accusing Ruto of sidelining their interests.
Gachagua and his allies have also accused
the ODM camp of being used by Ruto to throw him out of government.
The ex-DP had also said that with the
broad-based arrangement, Ruto and Raila were one and the same and that as the
United Opposition, they will send the two home in 2027.
Various leaders have warned that Kahiga’s
rhetoric could collapse the goodwill that had emerged following Raila’s death.
Various leaders across the country and
political divide were eulogising the former PM as a statesman who put his
interests and ambition on hold for the sake of national unity.
Kahiga’s remarks and the reaction that
followed symbolise a broader political divide.
However, activist and presidential
candidate Boniface Mwangi called for restraint, saying Kenyans must separate
the actions of an individual from the community.
“When someone says hateful and divisive
things, don’t blame his community or anyone else,” he said.
“Instead, hold the person accountable as an
individual. An individual's hateful speech is their own.”
