United Opposition Spokesperson Mukhisa Kituyi has called for the impeachment of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga following his controversial remarks about the late opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Speaking during a morning TV interview on Wednesday, October 23, 2025, Kituyi described Kahiga’s comments as reckless, irresponsible and stupid, saying they disrespected the memory of a national leader and exposed poor judgment from someone holding a high public office.

“At that kind of dicey moment, it is extremely reckless for national interest, extremely irresponsible and extremely stupid for a person holding high office to say such silly things like the governor of Nyeri did,” Kituyi said. “It is very important that we express our outrage at the mendacity of a person to say those kinds of things, even if he’s addressing a funeral in a village.”

Kituyi insisted that the United Opposition had no association with Kahiga, saying he was not and had never been a member of the movement. He said the governor’s recent attempts to link himself with the opposition were misleading and opportunistic.

Also watch: Makau Mutua calls for Kahiga’s resignation as Nyeri governor.

“As an opposition, we find it necessary to clearly distance ourselves from this irresponsible and criminal conduct by a person in high office,” he said. “Let the party he belongs to own him and what he’s saying.”

Kituyi went on to explain that Kahiga’s political affiliations were well known and that he remained part of President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). He dismissed suggestions that the governor had been working with the opposition.

“But to the best of my knowledge, last time I checked, he was in Ruto’s party – and that’s where he belongs. There has never been any moment when we have assigned him any role or invitation. I have never met him, and thank God I haven’t.”

He added that the opposition had never discussed, engaged, or invited the governor to any of its meetings, and if Kahiga intended to switch sides, it was only in his own plans. “He may have planned to join the wave and move to the opposition at an appropriate time, but as far as I know, he remains in Ruto’s party,” Kituyi said.

The former UNCTAD Secretary-General said Kahiga’s comments, made during a burial in Nyeri, were an embarrassment to the county’s proud political history. He urged Nyeri MCAs to take action if the governor refuses to resign.

“A person who does such a terrible thing should be whipped, and there should be enough pressure for him to step down as governor,” Kituyi said. “Nyeri is a very important part of this country. It mismatches the reputation of that county that a person with this kind of moronic thinking is its leader….Nyeri has enough MCAs to start the process of impeaching him.”

Leaders condemn Kahiga’s remarks

Governor Kahiga sparked outrage after a video emerged showing him suggesting that Raila’s death was God’s plan and had levelled the political playing field. The remarks, made in Kikuyu during a funeral, were widely condemned as insensitive and divisive.

ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was among the first to react, calling the comments primitive, insensitive, and deeply insulting. She demanded Kahiga’s immediate resignation as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG).

“This country deserves leaders who embody empathy and respect, not divisive rhetoric. Kahiga must go,” Wanga said.

The Council of Governors has since condemned Kahiga’s utterances and removed him from his position as Vice Chairperson. CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi said the remarks were personal and did not represent the council’s position.

Following public backlash, Kahiga apologised and resigned from his CoG post, saying his remarks were personal and did not reflect the views of Nyeri residents or the council. However, pressure continues to mount for his resignation as governor, with the United Opposition insisting that anything short of impeachment would amount to condoning impunity.