Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has distanced Nyeri residents from controversial remarks made by Governor Mutahi Kahiga about the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying the statements were personal and culturally offensive, and they do not represent the people of Nyeri.
Kahiga has since apologised over the remarks, saying his statement was not in any way meant to celebrate the death of Raila.
Kagwe said the comments were insensitive and culturally unacceptable, especially at a time when the country is mourning the loss of a national leader.
“I have represented Nyeri people as a Member of Parliament and as a Senator, and I know their true feelings. We are mourning with the rest of Kenyans. Personally, I am mourning. The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was a personal friend of mine and of many people within Nyeri County,” Kagwe said.
He noted that culturally, it is taboo to speak ill of the dead, warning that such actions could attract curses unless cleansing rites are performed.
“As a Kenyan who happens to be a Mugikuyu, I can tell you that culturally it is repugnant to speak ill of people who have passed on. If you do so, there are certain rites that must be performed to avoid curses that may befall you,” Kagwe stated.
Kagwe added that Kahiga spoke in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the community.
“When a person speaks on his own behalf, it has nothing to do with the rest of the community,” he said.
The CS cautioned leaders to exercise restraint and sensitivity, noting that divisive or inflammatory remarks are politically retrogressive and morally indefensible.
“As human beings, we must be sensitive to each other, especially when people are grieving. It is insensitive to make remarks that hurt others when emotions are raw. Morally, such statements are indefensible,” Kagwe said.
He concluded by reaffirming that Nyeri residents are united with the rest of Kenyans in mourning the former Prime Minister.
"Nyeri people are mourning with the rest of Kenyans. We must never mistake one person’s insensitive remarks as representative of the entire community,” Kagwe said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Kahiga took responsibility for his remarks and announced his resignation as Council of Governors Vice Chairperson.
Kahiga said the remarks he made were his own personal views and therefore should in no way be associated by a community position or any political affiliation nor the Council of Governors.
"I am taking responsibility of the real and perceived meaning of my remarks and as a result therefore, I have decided that with immediate effect, I am going to step down as the Vice chair of the Council of Governors," he announced.
