Wambugu jumps to defend Kahiga, tells Kenyans to cease fire
Former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu has urged Kenyans to go easy on Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, saying the embattled county boss has shown remorse and taken full responsibility for his words.
Through a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Wambugu said it was time for Kenyans to move on now that Governor Kahiga had explained, apologised, and resigned from his position as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors.
You might also like
Also watch: Eric Wamumbi calls for Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s impeachment
“Mutahi Kahiga has explained, apologised and resigned as COG Vice Chair. Now people need to leave him alone. That’s what Raila would have done,” Wambugu wrote.
He also compared the situation to how he has dealt with other leaders in the past, saying, “There are those comparing my response to Kahiga with how I deal with Gachagua.
“Please note that Gachagua has never bothered to apologise for anything he has ever done or said. It is below him.”
The former lawmaker said the governor had done what many leaders fail to do by accepting responsibility and expressing regret for his words.
Also watch: ODM condemns Governor Kahiga over remarks on Raila Odinga’s death
He asked Kenyans to stop vilifying Kahiga, describing his apology as a show of humility and maturity.
Wambugu’s remarks come after widespread outrage over a viral video showing the governor suggesting that the late Raila Odinga’s death had “reset” Kenya’s political space.
The comments were criticised as insensitive and divisive, sparking nationwide condemnation.
Kahiga’s apology to the Odinga family
Governor Kahiga later issued a formal apology to the family of the late Raila Odinga and the entire nation.
“I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of the Rt. Hon Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga; Mama Ida Odinga, her children Rosemary, Junior, and Winnie, Hon. Senator Oburu Odinga, and Hon. MP Ruth Odinga, the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation, and Kenyans at large,” Kahiga said in his statement.
“My remarks were in no way celebratory. What I meant is that under the current broad-based government, we have seen skewed development.
“Politically, the loss of the Rt. Hon Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sends everyone back to the drawing board,” Kahiga said.
The governor added that he had decided to step down from his position as CoG Vice Chair to take full responsibility for both the real and perceived harm caused by his remarks.
Watch: Kahiga steps down as Council of Governors deputy chair after public outcry
“In noting the huge public interest that this issue has generated, I am taking responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks.
“As a result, I have decided that with immediate effect to step down as the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” his statement read.
Kahiga’s apology and resignation have since drawn mixed reactions, with some leaders accepting his remorse while others continue to call for further action against him.
