Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga is fighting to save his political career after an uproar sparked by his remarks about the late Raila Odinga. What began as a viral clip of a burial speech has turned into a full-blown political crisis — one that now threatens to end his tenure as governor.
Over the past few days, Kahiga has apologised, resigned as Vice-Chair of the Council of Governors (CoG), and faced growing pressure from Members of the Nyeri County Assembly (MCAs) who have signed an impeachment motion against him.
How It Started
The controversy began when Kahiga, speaking in Kikuyu during a burial, allegedly suggested that Raila Odinga’s death could benefit the Mt. Kenya region politically. The remarks were widely condemned as insensitive and divisive, especially during a period of national mourning.
The backlash was swift. Political leaders, civil society, and the public demanded an apology and disciplinary action. The Council of Governors quickly distanced itself from Kahiga, saying his views did not represent county leadership.
Kahiga later apologised, saying his comments had been misunderstood and taken out of context. But the damage to his reputation was already deep — and the political machinery in Nyeri began to move against him.
The Impeachment Motion Gains Ground
Reports from Nyeri indicate that more than 20 MCAs have already signed a motion to impeach Governor Kahiga. The County Assembly has 42 members, meaning the motion already enjoys significant support.
The MCAs accuse him of gross misconduct and abuse of office, arguing that his remarks brought the county into disrepute and violated the principles of leadership and integrity outlined in Kenya’s Constitution.
The motion is expected to be tabled soon, with the Assembly Speaker set to confirm whether it meets the threshold for debate. If it passes, it will move to the Senate for further consideration.
What the Law Says About Impeaching a Governor
Under Kenyan law, impeaching a governor involves several structured steps:
- Motion at the County Assembly:
An MCA submits a motion listing specific charges — such as gross misconduct or violation of the Constitution. The motion must gain majority support to proceed. - Transmission to the Senate:
If passed, the County Assembly sends the resolution to the Senate for investigation. - Senate Committee Hearings:
A special Senate committee investigates the allegations and gives the governor a chance to defend themselves. - Final Senate Vote:
If the Senate upholds the charges, the governor is removed from office.
This process can take weeks or months, depending on political dynamics, legal challenges, and procedural compliance.
The Political and Public Pressure
The storm surrounding Kahiga’s remarks has gone beyond Nyeri. Across Kenya, the comments have been condemned by leaders from all political sides. The UDA party, to which Kahiga belongs, is said to be considering disciplinary action, while the Council of Governors has already accepted his resignation from its leadership.
In Nyeri, protesters have taken to the streets demanding that the governor step down. The public mood is largely hostile, and the issue has united political rivals who rarely agree on anything.
Kahiga now faces both political isolation and public fury, making his defence even harder.
Kahiga’s Response and Defence Strategy
Nyeri Governor first move was to apologise publicly and withdraw from national leadership roles to cool tempers. Behind the scenes, he has been reaching out to local MCAs and community leaders in a bid to win back support. See his response https://nation.africa/kenya/news/kahiga-mutahi-s-sharp-tongue-forces-him-to-eat-his-words-again-5240842
He insists that the impeachment motion is politically motivated and that his words were misinterpreted. His legal team is reportedly ready to challenge the process in court if procedural errors occur — a common tactic in previous gubernatorial impeachments.
Past cases in Kenya show that technicalities and court orders have often stopped impeachments in their tracks. This gives Kahiga a possible lifeline if the process is rushed or mishandled.
Can Kahiga Survive the Motion?
At the moment, Kahiga’s chances of surviving the impeachment are uncertain but not impossible.
Why He’s Vulnerable:
- The remarks offended many Kenyans during a period of mourning.
- Over half of Nyeri’s MCAs have reportedly signed the motion.
- He’s lost support from national and county leadership circles.
- The public sentiment is strongly against him.
Why He Might Survive:
- Impeachment is a complex legal process that can drag on for weeks.
- Courts can intervene and delay the process.
- He may still have loyal MCAs who can block the motion at the Assembly stage.
- His apology and resignation from the CoG may reduce the political pressure slightly.
In Kenyan politics, survival often depends on numbers and timing. If Kahiga can rally enough MCAs to block the motion or negotiate political support from powerful allies, he might weather the storm.
What Happens Next
All attention now turns to the Nyeri County Assembly, which is expected to officially debate the motion soon. If it passes, the Senate will take over the case and form a committee to investigate.
Meanwhile, public anger and political drama continue to rise. For now, Kahiga remains in office, but his authority has been severely weakened. His next moves — legally and politically — will determine whether he can hold on or be forced out.
Conclusion
The Mutahi Kahiga impeachment motion has quickly become one of the most explosive political stories in Kenya. It’s a reminder of how fast political fortunes can change — and how public outrage can reshape careers overnight.
As Nyeri’s MCAs prepare to debate his fate, one question lingers across the country: Will Mutahi Kahiga survive impeachment?
The coming days will provide the answer. Learn more about the governor https://www.whispers.co.ke/1029/celebrities/2025/mutahi-kahiga-biography-from-teacher-to-nyeri-governor/
