Oketch Salah, the adopted son of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has pledged financial support to 10 youths from Jacaranda Bunge la Wananchi through an empowerment program in 2026. The pledge was made on December 26 during an engagement with a group member. Each recipient will receive Ksh50,000 along with motorcycles for men and hairdressing equipment for women.
Oketch Salah, the adopted son of Raila Odinga, made the pledge during a meeting with members of Jacaranda Bunge la Wananchi to strengthen leadership. He stated the empowerment program will launch early next year and benefit five men and five women. "Met with Jacaranda Bunge la Wananchi to strengthen leadership for greater impact. Also presented a Ksh1M New Year gift hamper to members present," Oketch said in a statement.
He added: "Pledged an empowerment program rolling out early next year for 10 members (5 men, 5 women); motorcycles for youths and hairdressing equipment plus KES 50,000 startup for women."
Bunge la Wananchi members serve as grassroots activists who organize public forums to discuss and advocate for issues affecting ordinary citizens, including good governance, accountability, economic empowerment, and social justice.
This initiative echoes Raila Odinga's 2022 election campaign promise to introduce a social protection program providing households with Ksh6,000 monthly. According to him, his government would have spent Ksh9 billion monthly to reach up to 1.5 million households nationwide.
Earlier this year in May, Nominated Senator Beatrice Oyomo urged President William Ruto to fulfill Odinga's stipend promise following their political agreement. "Honourable CS, now that we are a broad-based government, is it possible that you can pay the Ksh6,000 that was promised to Kenyans as in our manifesto?" Oyomo quipped.