CS Kagwe condemns Kahiga's remarks on Raila, calls for respect

Speaking at KICC during the launch of the 5th National Agribusiness Summit, Kagwe said Kahiga was insensitive and disrespectful to the grieving family and the nation.

“As the only Cabinet Secretary from Nyeri and a former Nyeri Senator, I want to state clearly that we are mourning. We, together with the rest of Kenyans, are Nyeri people and I am personally mourning,” Kagwe said.

“If you speak ill of people who have passed on, it is culturally repugnant. When you do so, there are certain rites you must undertake to avoid curses that may befall you. Those remarks are made on one’s own behalf and have nothing to do with the rest of the community.”

The CS emphasized that leadership demands restraint, cautioning political leaders against making divisive statements that erode national unity.

“As leaders, we must always be careful about what we say. Such statements are retrogressive. It is not in anybody’s interest to make remarks that can bring about division,” Kagwe added.

He also asserted that Kahiga's views were his own and did not represent the people of Nyeri or the national leadership, urging Kenyans to rise above politics and show compassion.

“Morally, it is indefensible to make remarks that, within our community and within the realm of the human race, we simply do not make,” he said.

“We sympathise in such situations, and therefore all I can say is this — we are mourning with the rest of Kenyans, and we must never mistake such insensitive remarks as representing anyone else apart from those who made them.”

The CS’s strong rebuke comes amid widespread public outrage, as many have termed Governor Kahiga insensitive and unprofessional.

Nyeri County leaders have also condemned the governor, among them Senator Wahome Wamatinga, and MPs Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri town), Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya) and Eric Wamumbi (Mathira).

Earlier on Wednesday, the Council of Governors (CoG) unanimously ousted Kahiga from the Vice Chair's position after he announced his resignation.

Kahiga has apologised to the family and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party for his remarks.

"I want to apologise to the family, the larger ODM, my colleagues and those in the larger Nyanza region...my remarks are personal, and not those of the people of Nyeri and the Council of Governors," he said.