The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has denied summoning Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga following his scathing remarks on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's demise.
NCIC, on Wednesday afternoon, posted a notice that had been making rounds online, stamping it as fake. In the notice that was making rounds, the embattled governor was summoned for allegedly making divisive and ethnically charged comments while seemingly celebrating Raila Odinga's passing.
The letter, purportedly from the Commission Chairperson, Samuel Kobia, stated that Kahiga's comments contravened Sections 13 and 62 of the NCIC Act, which prohibit the use of language that fuels ethnic contempt, hatred and discrimination.
In the fake letter, Kahiga was to appear before the NCIC at NCIC Headquarters, Britam Towers, 17th Floor, Upper Hill in Nairobi to provide clarification on his remarks and to assist in ongoing investigations.
"NCIC has noted with grave concern the remarks attributed to Mutahi Kahiga, Governor of Nyeri County, made during a public address on 21st October 2025," the letter stated.
"Following a preliminary assessment and in line with its constitutional mandate, the NCIC has summoned Governor Kahiga to appear before the Commission at NCIC Headquarters, Britam Towers, 17th Floor, Upper Hill, Nairobi," it added.
Part of the letter also cautioned Kenyans and, in particular, political leaders to avoid rhetoric that fuels division, tribal sentiment, or hostility among communities, stating that such comments threaten the peace and stability of the country.
NCIC did not say anything beyond stating that the letter is fake.
The confusion comes on the back of his resignation as the vice chairperson of the Council of Governors and an apology to the former prime minister's wife, Ida Odinga.
Addressing the press on Wednesday morning, Kahiga stated that his comments, captured in a vernacular video circulating on the internet, were taken out of context.
"I want to sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mama Ida Odinga, her children and the larger extended family, the ODM fraternity, the Luo Nation, and Kenyans at large," Kahiga said.
According to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) governor, his statement did not in any way reflect the views of the Mount Kenya region, and the remarks were his personal views.
