Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has bowed to pressure and apologised to the family of the late former prime minister Raila Odinga following his considered insensitive remarks, seemingly mocking and celebrating his death.
Speaking during a burial ceremony in Nyeri, Kahiga, while speaking in his native Kikuyu language, insinuated that Raila’s death was God’s plan to stop the Nyanza region from benefiting from President William Ruto’s government projects, resources that will now be channelled back to Central Kenya.
In a statement on Thursday, Kahiga, after being rebuked over the remarks, said that his comments were taken out of context, saying he drew his remarks from the biblical saying “God takes the best”.
"I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of Raila Odinga; Mama Ida Odinga, her children, Senator Oburu and MP Ruth Odinga and other siblings and the larger extended family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation and Kenyans at large. My remarks were in no way celebratory," said Kahiga, adding:"What I meant is that under the current broad-based government, we have seen skewed development and politically, the loss of Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board. As the popular saying goes, 'God takes the best and it is in this context that I made those remarks in vernacular."Following the public uproar, Kahiga also announced his stepping down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors.
