ODM condemns Governor Kahiga for celebrating Raila Odinga’s death
By Francis Muli, October 21, 2025The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly condemned Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over remarks he made suggesting that the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was an act of “divine intervention.”
Speaking in Kikuyu during a burial ceremony in Nyeri on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Governor Kahiga claimed that God had “come through” for the Mt Kenya region, insinuating that Odinga’s passing disrupted political plans that would have sidelined them.
“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 said.
He further alleged that Raila’s growing friendship with President William Ruto had led to government resources being diverted to the Nyanza region.
“For those who don’t travel, all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans, because it seemed like they did away with us. But God came and brought this thing,” he added.
The governor went on to say that “divine power had levelled the political field,” adding in a tone many interpreted as mockery: “He saw up there that people in heaven are disagreeing a lot and came for Baba so that he can go and smooth things up there.”
ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the remarks as “reckless, divisive, and shameful,” saying they dishonoured the memory of the late ODM leader and the spirit of unity that has defined Kenya’s mourning period.
“At a moment when millions of Kenyans across political, ethnic, and religious lines are still in deep mourning, Governor Kahiga chose to pour salt into the nation’s open wounds,” Nassir said in a statement seen by the media.
He added that Raila Odinga’s life embodied the ideals of “national unity, inclusivity, and reconciliation” and that Kahiga’s comments represented “everything our country must leave in the past.”
“Despite the unfortunate utterances in Kieni, we remain steadfast and undeterred in advancing the values of unity and nation-building. We will continue to work in good faith toward a more cohesive, just, and prosperous Kenya,” Nassir said.
The party urged leaders across the political divide to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and instead promote dignity, healing, and national cohesion during this period of grief.
Raila Odinga, who served as Kenya’s second prime minister and led the opposition for decades, died earlier this month, sparking an outpouring of tributes from across Africa and the world.