Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following mounting public outrage over his remarks about the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
His resignation comes just hours after CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi called for an urgent extraordinary meeting to deliberate on possible disciplinary action against him.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Kahiga issued a public apology to Raila Odinga’s family, the ODM Party, and Kenyans at large, saying his comments were misunderstood and caused unnecessary pain during a period of national mourning.
“I sincerely apologize to our mourning nation, to Mama Ida Odinga and the entire Odinga family, the ODM fraternity, and Kenyans at large,” said the governor. “My remarks were in no way celebratory. They were taken out of context, and I regret the distress they caused.”
Kahiga added that his resignation was a gesture of accountability and remorse. “Given the public interest this issue has generated, I take full responsibility for both the real and perceived harm of my words. I have therefore stepped down as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors with immediate effect,” his statement read.
The remarks, which drew widespread condemnation from political leaders across the country, had sparked calls for his removal from the CoG leadership and demands for a public apology.
 following mounting public outrage over his remarks about the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.){kind=link}