The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has dismissed reports claiming it summoned Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga over his remarks on the death of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Mutahi Kahiga has come under fire after issuing a controversial remark on Raila's sudden demise.
The controversy began during a funeral in Nyeri, where Kahiga, addressing mourners in Kikuyu, made comments that ignited outrage across the political divide.
He suggested that Raila’s death was an act of divine intervention meant to restore Mt Kenya’s political fortunes.
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His remarks implied that the former premier had shifted government focus and development resources away from the region after teaming up with President William Ruto.
Kahiga told the crowd that the sudden death of the ODM leader had 'levelled the playing field,' forcing all political actors, including Ruto, to rethink their 2027 strategies.
"You guys can see, you can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. Everybody can see that. We did not harbour hate for anyone but God came through for us.
Because the plan that had been hatched, if you look keenly, for you who do not travel because I was in that region, all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans because it seemed like they did away with us, but God came and brought this thing," Kahiga said.
The comments were met with immediate condemnation, with political leaders, religious groups, and social commentators accusing the governor of insensitivity at a time when the country was still mourning the opposition leader.
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Many described his statements as divisive and disrespectful to Raila’s legacy and his grieving supporters.
As outrage grew online, a letter purportedly signed by NCIC Chairman Samuel Kobia began circulating on social media, claiming the commission had summoned the governor to appear at its Nairobi headquarters.
The letter described Kahiga’s remarks as potentially divisive and ethnically charged, citing Sections 13(1)(a) and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, which prohibit speech that incites ethnic contempt, hatred, or discrimination.
According to the document, the NCIC was investigating whether the governor’s words breached cohesion laws and had allegedly required him to record a statement at its offices in Britam Towers, Upper Hill.
However, the commission swiftly moved to quash the reports through its verified social media platforms, sharing an image of the circulating letter stamped boldly with the word “FAKE.”
Elsewhere, the united opposition distanced itself from Kahiga following his controversial remarks that appeared to celebrate the death of Raila.
Morara says Kahiga’s remarks is strategy to provoke Nyanza, boost Ruto’s 2027 chances
Leaders within the faction condemned Kahiga’s comments as hate speech, warning that such statements could fuel ethnic tension.
They clarified that Kahiga is a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and urged Ruto, as party leader, to take disciplinary action against him.
The opposition also emphasised that Kahiga’s remarks did not represent their collective position.
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