Mbarire: UDA set to take legal action against Kahiga for Raila comments
By Steve Ireri, October 24, 2025Embu governor and UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire has confirmed that plans are underway to take action against Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga over remarks he made regarding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mbarire, speaking in Tharaka Nithi on Thursday, October 23, 2025, expressed shock over Kahiga’s statements, describing them as deeply disturbing and contrary to the party’s ideology of unity.
Also watch: Governors Orengo, Lusaka demand harsher action against Kahiga over Raila remarks
She emphasised that the remarks do not reflect the views of the governors of Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties, nor those of UDA as a whole.
“As governors of Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi, we were deeply shocked by the remarks made by the Governor of Nyeri, Governor Kahiga, which have stunned everyone in Kenya. We want to make it clear that his statements do not reflect our views,” Mbarire said.
She said the party had cautioned Governor Kahiga, urging him to adhere to UDA’s guiding principle of uniting Kenyans, and noted that he has since been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Mbarire confirmed that the party would communicate its official stance to Kahiga in due course and made it clear that UDA dissociates itself from his statements in Nyeri.
“We have always believed in development coming to our region, and we reminded him that he should follow UDA’s ideology of uniting Kenyans. Now that he has been summoned by the NCIC, we are waiting to take action at the party level. We will communicate our position to him shortly. As a party, we completely dissociate ourselves from the sentiments and statements he made in Nyeri,” she said.
The legal action comes in the wake of Kahiga’s controversial comments on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, during a burial ceremony in Nyeri.
Speaking in his native Kikuyu language, Kahiga suggested that Raila’s death was part of divine intervention, claiming that God had come through for the Mt Kenya region.
“You guys can see, you can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. Everybody can see that. We did not harbour hate for anyone, but God came through for us,” Kahiga had said.
His remarks were widely criticised for being insensitive and divisive at a time when the nation was still mourning the late ODM leader.
Kahiga further indicated that the late leader’s close ties with President William Ruto had allegedly shifted government attention to Nyanza, leaving other regions sidelined. The remarks, which quickly went viral on social media, prompted calls from leaders across the political divide for an apology.
“For you who do not travel, because I was in that region, 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.
In response to the backlash, Kahiga clarified on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, that his comments had been taken out of context, announcing his resignation as Vice-Chair of the Council of Governors.
Watch: Kahiga steps down as Council of Governors deputy chair after public outcry
He further apologised to Raila’s family, the Orange Democratic Movement fraternity, the Luo community, and all Kenyans who felt hurt.
“From the very onset, I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of the late Raila Molo Odinga. Mama Ida, her children Rosemary, Junior, and Winnie, Senator Oburu Odinga, MP Ruth Odinga, other siblings, and the larger extended family for any harm my words have elicited,” he said.