NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 22 – The Council of Governors (CoG) has convened an extraordinary meeting for Wednesday morning following remarks by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga about the death of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
In a statement, CoG chair Ahmed Abdullahi said the comments were “personal views that do not reflect the position of the Council,” adding: “I have convened an urgent extraordinary Council meeting to deliberate on these unfortunate utterances, and a further statement will follow.”
Kahiga, the CoG vice-chair, drew condemnation after saying at a funeral that Odinga’s 15 October death was an “answered prayer” for the Mt Kenya region, and alleging President William Ruto diverted resources to Nyanza at the expense of the Kikuyu community.
Leaders from Odinga’s ODM party—including Abdulswamad Nassir and James Orengo—and Mt Kenya governors Anne Waiguru and Cecily Mbarire, as well as Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, criticised the remarks as insensitive and divisive. “The statement attributed to the Nyeri Governor is regrettable and most unfortunate… It neither captures the national mood nor adds value to a nation in mourning,” Kinyanjui said.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga termed the remarks abhorrent and a violation of the Constitution, citing Article 73(1), which requires state officers to “demonstrate respect for the people; and bring honour to the nation and dignity to the office.”
