ODM leaders have come out guns blazing to condemn what they term as unfortunate remarks by Nyeri Governor, Dr Mutahi Kahiga, over the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Led by the ODM Chairperson and Homabay Governor, Glady’s Wanga, the ODM leaders said its unfortunate for Kahiga to be seen to celebrate the death of the astute ODM leader yet he is a beneficiary of the freedom and governance issues Raila championed throughout his life.
“During his lifetime, the late Raila Odinga believed in a Kenya where everyone enjoyed freedom of speech and democracy, he fought for devolution, equity and equality of all Kenyans regardless of where one comes from and a united Kenya,” Wanga asserted.
Addressing a presser in Kisumu on Monday, the ODM team said Raila put his life on the line to fight for the freedoms that Kenyans enjoy today, spending years in prison and detention.
Wanga declared that his determination makes Raila a gallant son of beloved country who championed and sacrificed for the second liberation of Kenya, a clear indicator that he had the country’s interest at heart.
Wanga observed that the entire western region which Kahiga claimed was benefitting from government resources and development has nothing compared to what his region has benefitted from since Kenya became independent.
Governor Kahiga is said to have uttered remarks that were seen to celebrate the recent death of ODM leader Raila Amollo Odinga who was laid to rest on Sunday.
Speaking at a funeral in Kieni area, Kahiga is quoted in vernacular to have said through the broad-based government Raila had caused all the resources to go to the western region while denying Mount Kenya and the rest of the Country the resources for development.
Two ODM MP’s present at the presser, Jared Okello (Nyando), and Fred Oluoch (Mathare) also condemned the remarks attributed to Governor Kahiga.
Others present included Kisumu County Assembly Speaker, Elisha Oraro and Kisumu County Assembly majority whip, Seth Kanga who also condemned the remarks terming them reckless, uncouth and pusillanimous for a person of Kahiga’s stature and demanded that he apologizes and resign from the Vice-Chair of the Council of Governors (CoG).
In a sharp rejoinder as the ODM presser was going on Kahiga was issuing an apology to the Press in Nairobi saying his remarks were taken out of context and profusely apologized to the ODM fraternity, the Odinga family and the rest of the Country.
He also resigned as the Vice-Chair of the Council of Governors (COG) in his presser a demand that the ODM team had also put forward during their press briefing
Former premier, Raila Amollo Odinga, who was also the ODM leader died in India last Wednesday while undergoing treatment, his death shook the nation throwing the nation into deep mourning and his remains were interred at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi Mausoleum in Bondo, Siaya on Sunday.