The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced plans to take disciplinary action against Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over controversial remarks he made following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Thursday, UDA Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire said the party had disassociated itself from Kahiga’s sentiments and would soon communicate a formal position on the matter.
“We are waiting to take some action at the party level. Now that he has been called by NCIC, we thought it was right because he’s dealing with the right institution that handles such statements,” Mbarire said.
“We will be communicating to him shortly on our position as a party. But we completely disassociate ourselves from his sentiments and statements,” she added.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had earlier summoned Kahiga after a video emerged showing him appearing to celebrate the opposition leader’s death.
In the viral clip, recorded in Kikuyu during an event in Kieni, Nyeri County, Kahiga claimed that Raila’s death was “part of God’s plan” to return development to the Mt. Kenya region.
“All goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plan, because it seemed like they did away with us. But God came and brought this thing,” Kahiga said in the clip, referring to Raila’s death.
“Now people have been told to go back to the drawing board because the plan that was there was probably to throw us out. But who is God?” he added.
The comments sparked outrage nationwide, with leaders across political divides condemning the governor’s remarks as insensitive and un-African.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki joined the criticism, saying it was against Kenyan culture to mock or rejoice in another person’s death.
“Our culture does not involve celebrating the death of fellow human beings, no matter the differences we had with them. Life is given by God and taken by God — we cannot make jokes about death,” Njuki said.
Meanwhile, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu cautioned against linking the remarks to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, clarifying that both Kahiga and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu no longer work with him.
“ODM should not associate Governor Kahiga’s remarks with Rigathi Gachagua. Both Kahiga and Ngunjiri Wambugu are no longer part of Gachagua’s political team — they now work with the government,” Nyutu stated.
He further dismissed speculation that Gachagua’s allies had mobilized youths in Nyeri to celebrate the ODM leader’s death, saying their decision to remain silent was intentional to avoid fueling more controversy.
“If Rigathi was already being blamed for Raila’s illness, what would happen if we spoke now that he’s gone? That’s why we chose to mourn in silence,” Nyutu explained.
The senator also accused ODM of unfairly targeting Gachagua’s allies, suggesting that their political frustrations stemmed from dissatisfaction with President William Ruto, not the opposition.
“We don’t understand why ODM is fighting us. We never had a problem with Raila Odinga — we didn’t vote for him. Our problem is with President Ruto, whom we supported but who has since sidelined us,” he added.
As UDA mulls disciplinary action, political observers say the move could test the party’s internal unity, particularly within the Mt. Kenya bloc, where Kahiga has been an influential — though increasingly controversial — voice.
Editor’s Note:
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has yet to release details of its meeting with Governor Kahiga. The governor has not issued a formal apology, though sources close to him say he may release a statement clarifying his remarks.
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