The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, has demanded the immediate resignation of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over remarks he made about the late party leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Wanga condemned Kahiga’s comments made during a funeral in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, accusing him of “celebrating Odinga’s death.”
“Yesterday’s remarks by Governor Mutahi Kahiga appearing to celebrate the death of our Party Leader the late Raila Amolo Odinga are not only nefarious but utterly despicable,” Wanga said.
She described the comments as an insult to the memory of a man who had dedicated his life to fighting for Kenya’s democracy and freedom. “The late Raila Odinga put his life on the line for the freedoms Kenyans enjoy today. For someone like Kahiga, who benefits from that struggle, to make such remarks is shameful,” she added.
Wanga also dismissed Kahiga’s claim that the Western Kenya region had disproportionately benefited from government resources, terming the statement false and divisive. “It is worth noting that the region he decries has received far less compared to his own since independence,” she remarked.
The Homa Bay Governor further accused Kahiga of tarnishing the image of the Council of Governors (CoG), where he serves as Vice Chair, saying his behavior was unbecoming of a national leader. “The CoG cannot have a reckless person holding such a position. He must resign immediately,” she declared.
Wanga emphasized that ODM would not tolerate any form of disrespect toward Raila Odinga’s legacy, calling on leaders to uphold dignity and unity. “Raila stood for democracy, equality, and devolution. Let us honor his memory by maintaining respect and civility in our discourse,” she concluded.
The remarks have ignited sharp political debate across the divide, with ODM insisting Kahiga must take responsibility and step down from his CoG role.
