The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga to record a statement over controversial remarks he made regarding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Governor Kahiga sparked outrage across the country after claiming that Odinga’s passing was “God’s plan” to allow the Mt Kenya region to benefit from government resources that had allegedly been diverted to Nyanza under the Ruto–Odinga political arrangement.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, NCIC condemned Kahiga’s remarks, saying they undermined national unity at a time when the country is mourning a national icon.
“Such statements not only dishonour the memory of a national hero but also have the potential to ignite ethnic tension and social discord ,this kind of rhetoric is dangerously retrogressive and threatens the progress Kenya has made toward peace and cohesion.”NCIC said.
The Commission further lauded the Council of Governors (CoG) for distancing itself from Kahiga’s sentiments and removing him from his position as Vice Chair.
“Indeed, this is a positive gesture to uphold desirable values of unity, inclusivity, and respect in governance,” the NCIC added. “It underscores the importance of responsible leadership and reinforces political decency and accountability.”
NCIC appealed for calm, tolerance, and unity, urging Kenyans to remember Raila Odinga’s enduring legacy in the fight for democracy, peace, justice, and inclusivity.
The Commission’s action comes amid public uproar, with many leaders and citizens describing Governor Kahiga’s remarks as insensitive and unbecoming of a public officer.
On Wednesday, the CoG unanimously voted to oust Kahiga from his vice-chair role shortly after he announced his resignation from the position.
In a later statement, Kahiga issued an apology to the Odinga family and the ODM party, saying his comments were personal.
“I want to apologise to the family, the larger ODM, my colleagues, and those in the Nyanza region. My remarks were personal and not those of the people of Nyeri or the Council of Governors,” he said.
