Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga has officially resigned as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following a storm of criticism over remarks he made concerning the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The governor announced his resignation on Tuesday, October 22, 2025, saying he had taken full responsibility for the controversy caused by his comments.

“I have listened to the concerns of Kenyans and leaders across the nation. I take full responsibility for my words and the hurt they may have caused,” Kahiga said in his statement.
“I hereby tender my resignation as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors, effective immediately.”

What Sparked the Outrage

Over the weekend, Governor Kahiga spoke during a funeral in Nyeri, where he allegedly remarked that Raila Odinga’s death had “levelled the political ground” for the Mt Kenya region.
The statement, widely circulated online, triggered widespread backlash from Kenyans, political leaders, and civil society groups who described his comments as “insensitive” and “disrespectful” to the late statesman’s legacy.

Several leaders from across the political divide condemned the remarks, calling on the governor to apologise and step down from his national role.

Council of Governors Responds

The Council of Governors held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the matter.
According to reports, the Council expressed concern that the remarks risked tarnishing the reputation of the institution, which represents all 47 county governments.

Facing growing pressure, Kahiga tendered his resignation before the meeting concluded, apologising for what he called “a lapse in judgment.”