ODM Chair Gladys Wanga condemns Nyeri Governor Kahiga for 'celebrating' Raila's death, calls for his resignation

In a strongly worded statement released Tuesday evening, Wanga expressed deep offense at Governor Kahiga’s public comments, in which he appeared to politicize and mock the death of Raila Odinga. 

The remarks captured in a viral clip have sparked widespread outrage across the political divide, with many accusing Kahiga of promoting tribal hatred and undermining national unity.

“For three consecutive days before his death, Raila Odinga expressed shock at the capacity of human beings to be evil and heartless following disturbing social media posts announcing his death and even displaying images of his ‘body’ being received at Lee Funeral Home. He believed this was politics at its dirtiest,” Wanga stated.

She further accused Kahiga of long-standing ethnic profiling, particularly against the Luo community and Raila Odinga, describing his latest remarks as “a new low in our politics.”

“As Kahiga’s colleague, I am ashamed of his words. I am offended as the Chairperson of ODM and as a believer in Raila Odinga and what he stood for. Kahiga’s outbursts are a direct assault on the values of unity, respect, and nationhood that we must all uphold,” she said.

Wanga called on all Kenyans who value peace and unity to reject and condemn what she termed as tribal chauvinism. She warned that such rhetoric, if left unchecked, could destabilize the country and lead it down a dangerous path.

“This kind of hate speech has ignited flames in other nations. It can happen here too if we allow people like Kahiga to normalize such dangerous thinking. Kenya belongs to all of us. No one tribe owns this country,” she warned.

The ODM Chairperson concluded by demanding the immediate resignation of Governor Kahiga as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors, saying his continued leadership role is incompatible with the values of national cohesion and mutual respect.

“This country deserves better leadership. Kahiga must go,” Wanga declared.

Speaking in his native Kikuyu language at a burial ceremony in Nyeri, Kahiga suggested that Odinga's death was God's plan to get the Mt Kenya region back to enjoying State resources that had been diverted elsewhere.

In the short video that has gone viral on social media, the Nyeri Governor claimed that the political arrangement between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga had shifted government development priorities toward the Nyanza region.