The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced plans to discipline Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga following his controversial remarks about the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
UDA chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire confirmed the move on Thursday, October 23, saying the party disassociated itself from Kahiga’s comments and would initiate internal disciplinary measures.
“As the UDA party, we disassociate ourselves from the sentiments by Governor Kahiga and have cautioned him to adhere to the ideals of the ruling party,” Mbarire stated.
“Now that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned him, we will also take action at the party level. We will write to him on the next course of action,” she added.
Governor Kahiga sparked nationwide outrage on Tuesday after suggesting that Raila’s passing was a “blessing” for the Mt. Kenya region. Speaking at a local funeral in Nyeri, he alleged that the political partnership between President William Ruto and the late opposition leader had diverted development away from Central Kenya.
His remarks were condemned across the political divide, with leaders from both UDA and ODM accusing him of being insensitive during a period of national mourning. Prominent voices within the Mt. Kenya region also called for the governor’s censure, emphasizing that the comments risked inflaming ethnic and political tensions.
Following the backlash, Kahiga resigned as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) and issued a public apology to the Odinga family and Kenyans. In his statement, he expressed remorse and clarified that his words were misinterpreted.
“I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of the Rt Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga — Mama Ida, Rosemary, Junior, Winnie, Senator Oburu Odinga, Hon. Ruth Odinga — the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation, and Kenyans at large,” he wrote.
“My remarks were in no way celebratory. I only meant that Raila’s passing has reshaped Kenya’s political outlook under the current broad-based government.”
However, Cecily Mbarire dismissed Kahiga’s claims that Mt. Kenya had been sidelined, citing ongoing national projects in the region. She listed housing, electrification, roads, and health infrastructure among initiatives spearheaded by President Ruto’s administration.
“It is not true that development is only going to one region of Kenya,” Mbarire said. “We are fully behind the President and his deputy, and several major projects — including the dualling of the Makutano–Embu–Meru road — are already underway.”
Kahiga’s disciplinary case is expected to be handled by UDA’s Disciplinary Committee, with possible outcomes ranging from a formal reprimand to suspension, depending on the party’s internal findings.
His controversy adds to the growing political tension surrounding Raila Odinga’s death, which has prompted emotional reactions nationwide and rekindled debates over national unity, ethnic politics, and leadership sensitivity during times of mourning.
