Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has once again ignited public outrage following a video that surfaced on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in which he appeared to celebrate the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The remarks, made during a funeral in Nyeri County, have drawn widespread condemnation from Kenyans across the political and social spectrum.
In the video, Kahiga is heard saying, “God has acted,” suggesting that Odinga’s passing has disrupted political alignments and forced a return to the “drawing board.”
He further implied that President William Ruto’s collaboration with Odinga had alienated the Kikuyu community, accusing the administration of diverting development projects to Western Kenya at the expense of Central Kenya.
The comments have been widely criticised as insensitive and divisive, particularly given the solemn setting of a funeral.
While disassociating itself from Kahiga’s comments, the Council of Governors called for an extraordinary session on Wednesday to discuss their colleague’s conduct.
A Pattern of Controversy
This is not Kahiga’s first brush with controversy.
In February 2025, the governor was forced to issue a public apology to the Maa (Maasai) community after making remarks deemed offensive during a funeral in Laikipia County.
Speaking in the Kikuyu dialect, Kahiga used an innuendo that many interpreted as derogatory toward the Maasai.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku condemned the remarks as “unwarranted, unfortunate, unprovoked, and demeaning,” demanding an apology.
Kahiga later clarified that his comments were not intended to offend, but the incident sparked a heated debate in the Senate, with lawmakers criticizing the use of a funeral for divisive rhetoric.
In 2024, Kahiga faced similar criticism for remarks perceived as promoting regional exclusion based on voting patterns in the 2022 general elections.
Speaking at a church service in Nyeri, he argued that Western Kenya, which he claimed delivered fewer votes to President Ruto, was receiving disproportionate development funding compared to Nyeri.
“We have Sh9 billion in Nyeri, yet calculations show Nyeri alone gave the president 272,507 votes. He got three million votes countrywide. These people in Western, Murkomen, you have given Sh17 billion, and they gave you 600,000 votes. Can we get what is rightfully for Nyeri?” Kahiga stated.
The remarks drew sharp rebuke from Members of Parliament, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who emphasized that development is a national right, not a reward for electoral loyalty.
The MPs warned that Kahiga’s rhetoric risked deepening regional divisions and undermining national unity.
Kahiga’s recent comments are part of a broader pattern of ethnically charged or regionally divisive statements that have marked his tenure.
In 2023, during a public rally in Nyeri, he was criticised for suggesting that certain communities were “outsiders” in the county’s economic ecosystem, prompting accusations of xenophobia from local business leaders and civil society groups.
Although Kahiga later clarified that his remarks were taken out of context, the incident further cemented his reputation as a polarising figure.
Additionally, in early 2024, Kahiga sparked controversy during a county development forum when he appeared to question the allocation of national resources to arid and semi-arid regions, arguing that “productive” agricultural regions like Nyeri deserved priority.
The remarks were met with condemnation from leaders in northern Kenya, who accused him of marginalizing pastoralist communities.
The latest video has amplified calls for accountability, with many Kenyans taking to social media platforms to express their dismay.
Posts analysed from social reveal a mix of outrage and disappointment, with users describing Kahiga’s comments as “heartless” and “a new low” for a public official.
Some have called for his resignation, while others have urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate the remarks for potential hate speech violations.
As public pressure mounts, Kahiga’s latest remarks are likely to reignite debates about the role of leaders in fostering unity versus division.
The NCIC has yet to issue a formal statement, but past incidents suggest that the commission may summon the governor for questioning.
Additionally, President Ruto’s administration, already navigating a delicate political landscape, may face increased scrutiny over its development policies and regional balancing act.
Kahiga has not publicly responded to the latest backlash as of October 22, 2025. However, given his history, a clarification or apology may be forthcoming.
Whether this will quell the growing discontent remains uncertain, as the governor’s repeated controversies continue to test the patience of both his constituents and the broader Kenyan public.
