By Wanja Waweru
The daughter of Raila Amollo Odinga, the head of the Orange Democratic Movement and a longtime assistant, Winnie Odinga, came under fire from Silas Chepkeres Jakakimba for allegedly being disrespectful.
Mr. Jakakimba claimed in a statement released on Sunday, March 12, 2023, that Winnie Odinga had insulted him for meeting and taking a picture with President William Samoei Ruto, Raila Odinga’s main rival in the recently concluded August 2022 presidential election.
He asserted that Winnie called him a traitor for capturing the same picture and using it as his social media profile picture.
“Winnie Odinga used ‘F’ word on me last night for what she terms betrayal in lieu of my cover Photo. What she fails to appreciate: We respect Jakom-done half the yrs of my life arnd him & if she cares to know, we’ve had to hard-furnace via invisible sacrifices to that cadre of loyalty.
Moving forward, Winnie Odinga must learn to respect people for who they are – if not least, for what they’ve been in a long journey of several lows and countable highs, for love of Country. Jakakimba,” said Mr Chepkeres.
The specific image in question was taken in January 2023 during President Ruto’s second visit to Homa Bay County, where he was greeted by Governor Gladys Wanga after she had originally declined to accompany him on his first formal visit to the County.
He turned off the ability for his followers to leave comments on his post on all of his social media channels after he posted his calling out of Winnie Odinga.
From the praises he sang about Winnie Odinga in November 2022, Mr. Jakakimba’s calling out of her and revealing the nature of their present working relationship is a huge step.
His praises came amid a heated discussion over Winnie’s and Charlene Ruto, the daughter of President Ruto, in terms of popularity and influence.
“Ngoja buana, Omwami: We can all praise Charlene without attempting to dim Winnie’s. I believe they are both doing great stuff in their respective and current spaces- Charity; Politics. And remember to make proper reference to Charlene- she’s a hustler’s daughter, not ‘rich man’,” said Mr Jakakimba.
Silas Chepkeres Jakakimba’s relationship with the Odinga family has seen him serve as Raila Odinga’s personal assistant and advisor for many years.
He is also a seasoned politician but found himself in a position where he had to shelve his political ambitions due to personal reasons as well as to ensure that Raila Odinga clinched the presidency in the recent election.
“Due to emerging and critical issues, assignment in the past several months, I’ve had to skip on my earlier intention to stand for elective public office, including the Lang’ata Parliamentary seat where I will offer all the support to whoever emerges as the Change Movement’s candidate.
