The Council of Governors (CoG) has unanimously resolved to remove Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga as its Vice-Chairperson.
The removal came just a few minutes after the Nyeri Governor announced his resignation ahead of his colleagues' extraordinary meeting to discuss his conduct.
Kagiha was caught on camera making remarks that have been perceived as celebrating ODM leader Raila Odinga’s death, sparking public outrage and condemnations.
“In view of this meeting, the Council has unanimously agreed to remove Kahiga Mutahi from the leadership of the Council as Vice Chairperson with immediate effect. We have also agreed that we will hold another meeting where a new Vice Chair will be elected,” CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said.
The county bosses asked leaders to be cautious in public statements, saying in a country where political awareness runs high, leaders must exercise both caution and a deep sense of responsibility in their utterances.
The county bosses had convened a special council meeting to deliberate on the interpretation and impact of Kahiga’s utterances made at a burial ceremony in Nyeri.
“We wish to reiterate our deep disappointment with the statement by the Governor. We still maintain that the sentiments are his personal remarks that do not reflect or represent the views or values of CoG. We therefore dissociate in toto and condemn these utterances which were untimely, reckless and unspeakable, especially at this time of deep mourning,” Abdullahi, who is also the Wajir Governor, said.
During a funeral in Nyeri, Governor Kahiga claimed that the political arrangement between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga had shifted government development priorities toward the Nyanza region, denying Mt. Kenya a share of government resources.
Speaking in his native Kikuyu dialect, Kahiga told mourners that Raila’s death had levelled the playing field forcing all political players, including President Ruto, to return to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mama Ida, her children Rosemary, Junior and Winnie, Senator Oburu Oginga, Ruth Odinga, other siblings, the larger extended family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo nation and the Kenyans at large, and to my colleague leaders from all sides of the political divide for any harm it has elicited," he said.
He then announced his resignation: "I am taking responsibility and resigning with immediate effect as the vice chair of the Council of Governors.”
Kahiga was elected vice chair of COG on October 6, 2025, for a second term.
On the controversial remarks, Kahiga sought to clarify that he meant no harm.
"What I meant is that under the broad-based government, we have skilled development and politically, the loss of Raila sends everyone back to the drawing board, as the popular goes, God takes the best, and it is in this context that I made those remarks in vernacular."
