A governor in central Kenya who publicly rejoiced and openly celebrated the death of Kenya most consequential and adored Kenyan politician, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, was forced to eats his words and quit his position as vice chair of the Council of Governors.

A video grab in which Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the death of Raila Odinga was “good riddance” and “a blessing in disguise” for the country, went viral but the public reprimand has been too much for the regional leader to bear, forcing him to throw in the towel.

Raila Odinga died in an Indian hospital on Thursday last week and was interred on Sunday in keeping with his will, which directed his family to bury him in less than 72 hours. The departed leader was accorded a state funeral and burial, which appeared to offend Kahiga, hence his unsavoury comments that were laced with ethnic vitriol, during the burial of Beatrice Wairimu Mbarire at Karundas in Kieni East Sub-County.

Following public indignation, he apologised and stepped down as Council of Governors (CoG) vice chair over the remarks he made following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In the video grab (in vernacular), the county boss appears to be gloating over the death of Raila, terming it a blessing in disguise for the people of Mount Kenya who feel side-lined in resource allocation.

But, while addressing the media in Nyeri on Wednesday, the county boss said the controversial comments “were taken out of context and expressed regret” over the public anger the remarks have elicited, especially at a time when the country is still mourning the death of one of its finest statesmen.

“The clip was taken while attending a burial in my village. My remarks were in no way celebratory. What I meant is that under the current broad-based government, we have seen skewed development and politically the loss of the Right Honourable Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board. As the popular saying goes, ‘God takes the best and it is in this context that I made those remarks in vernacular,’’ he defended himself.

As consequence, “In noting the huge public interest that this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks and as a result I have decided with immediate effect to step down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors.”

He similarly clarified that the statements were his personal views and should in no way be construed to be a reflection of the central Kenya community’s position, political affiliation or that of the CoG.

The governor also took the opportunity to send his apologies and condolences to the nation, Mama Ida Odinga, her children and the entire family of the fallen liberation hero for the unfortunate harm his remarks may have caused.

Kahiga has since Tuesday come under fire for “celebrating Raila Odinga’s death.” In a Facebook post, Nyeri Town Constituency legislator Duncan Mathenge castigated Kahiga for being insensitive and lacking in wisdom. Mathenge said that the governor’s remarks were ill-thought and risked isolating the people of Nyeri and the Kikuyu tribe from the rest of the country.

“We distance ourselves as Nyeri Town Constituency people from your callous and cruel sentiments; do not drag our community into your warped theories and thinking. Do not drag the community into your wars with the Right Hon Prime Minister Raila Odinga; you told him to his that you hate history. May be the fact that in his death that history came alive irked you so much,” the lawmaker said.

Mathira legislator Eric Wamumbi termed Kahiga’s remarks unfortunate, reckless, shallow and irresponsible and urged the governor to do better.

Wamumbi observed, “As a son of the Kikuyu community and Nyeri County, I dissociate myself from your school of thought. Raila did not rest so that the Kikuyu community can benefit.”

Nyeri Woman Representative, Rahab Mukami said, “The words by Governor Kahiga were deeply hurtful. No one should ever rejoice in someone’s death, life is unpredictable. Even in our differences, let’s choose respect and humanity. The Late Rt-Hon Raila Odinga was not just a leader but a husband, a father, a friend and a fellow human being. I stand for unity, empathy and dignified leadership. Kenya ni moja. I attended his burial in Bondo and I request us Kenyans to be united.”

The Council of Governors through its chair Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir Governor) has also reacted to the remarks by Kahiga by dissociating itself from his statement.

Governor Abdullahi termed the remarks as outright reckless and said they should not be taken as representing sentiments of the 46 governors to whom Kahiga was vice chair. The chair also announced that the council will hold an urgent extra-ordinary meeting today to deliberate the matter and determine the way forward.

“Today, the Council of Governors registered its deep disappointment with the unfortunate utterances by Governor Kahiga Mutahi of Nyeri County. As the Council of Governors, we wish to disassociate in toto with the sentiments of Governor Kahiga and note that those are personal remarks that do not reflect or represent the views of the Council of Governors and especially at this time of deep mourning,” read the statement dated October 21.

“We note that the comments are indeed reckless, insensitive, sad and unfortunate. It is inhumane and unacceptable to celebrate his death on account of perceived political calculations. Rt-Hon Raila Odinga, was and will forever remain a statesman whose contributions are embedded in the annals of our country’s history.”

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Samuel Maina and Wangari Mwangi