Babu Owino condemns Governor Kahiga over reckless remarks on Raila’s death
By Francis Muli, October 21, 2025Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has joined a growing list of leaders condemning Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over remarks he made that mocked the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a brief but strongly worded statement on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Owino said Kahiga’s comments were “reckless and disturbing,” adding that they were unacceptable during a time when the nation is in mourning.
“I unequivocally condemn the reckless and disturbing utterances made by Kahiga Mutahi. Such statements are unacceptable and must not be tolerated,” Owino said.
Governor Kahiga sparked outrage on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after telling mourners in Nyeri that Raila’s death was part of “divine intervention” meant to protect the Mt Kenya region from political isolation. Speaking in Kikuyu, the governor claimed that the late ODM leader’s close alliance with President William Ruto had shifted the government’s focus to Nyanza at the expense of other regions.
“You guys can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. We did not harbour hate for anyone, but God came through for us,” Kahiga told mourners.
The remarks have been met with widespread criticism from across the political divide. Earlier, ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir described them as “shameful and divisive,” while UDA Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire called them “deeply disrespectful” and demanded a public apology.
Owino, a vocal ally of the late ODM leader, said such utterances dishonour the memory of a statesman who dedicated his life to fighting for democracy, justice, and national unity.
He urged leaders to show restraint and respect during the period of mourning, warning that inflammatory remarks could undermine national cohesion.
Raila Odinga, who passed away earlier this month, was celebrated as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures — a man whose decades-long struggle for multiparty democracy reshaped the country’s political landscape. His death has united Kenyans in grief, cutting across party and ethnic lines.