Raila Odinga Junior has clarified a viral video showing him speaking to residents through a wire fence in Kilgoris, Narok County, amid speculation over the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed the son of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressing a group of residents gathered on the other side of a fence.
Some social media users suggested that the footage had been taken at President William Ruto’s private residence, where his daughter Charlene Ruto was holding her traditional engagement ceremony with Tanzanian fiancé Isaya Yunge.
Raila Junior, however, said the interpretation was incorrect.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said the encounter took place at the public airstrip in Kilgoris after he arrived in the area by aircraft.
“I have seen the video and the comments circulating about me greeting wananchi through a fence,” he said.
“For clarity: this was not at the President’s private home. It took place at the public airstrip in Kilgoris.”
Raila Junior said he had just disembarked from the aircraft when residents who recognised him called out to him.
“As I alighted from the aircraft, a group of wananchi who recognised me waved me over and asked to greet me,” he said.
He explained that the fence visible in the footage was a standard safety barrier separating the public from the aircraft landing area.
He said he stopped to acknowledge the residents and respond to their greetings.
“I responded to their greeting in the normal way one does with members of the public,” he said.
The clarification came after the video attracted varied reactions online, with some users linking the fence to the private ceremony taking place in the area.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 8, when Raila Junior travelled to Kilgoris for Charlene Ruto’s traditional engagement and dowry ceremony.
In the footage, Raila Junior is seen speaking to residents gathered behind the wire-mesh barrier.
He thanked them for their reception and appeared to associate their warmth towards him with the support they had given his late father.
He also urged the residents to maintain peace and unity.
“Sisi ni ndugu, mkae kama kitu kimoja,” he told them.
Raila Junior promised to return to the area for a more organised engagement with residents and discuss issues affecting them.
“ODM ni kutatua shida ya watu wa chini. Na mimi nitarudi nikae na nyinyi, asanteni sana,” he said.
Some residents were also heard asking him to return to the area with his sister, Winnie Odinga.
Online reactions
The video prompted a debate on social media, with some users questioning why residents appeared to be separated from the area where the ceremony was taking place.
One user wrote: “Raila Jnr addressing Kilgoris residents. Kumbe hustlers hawakukua allowed kwa sherehe. Cheki fence.”
Another post questioned whether local residents had been excluded from the celebrations, asking why they were speaking to Raila Junior from behind the fence.
Others, however, praised him for stopping to engage the residents.
One social media user described Raila Junior as the only leader who stopped to speak to residents watching the celebrations from outside the venue.
The controversy prompted Raila Junior to provide his account of the incident, saying the encounter should not be interpreted as an interaction at the President’s private residence.
He ended his statement on a lighter note, acknowledging the attention generated by his public appearances.
“On a lighter note, I am pleased by the rigour and keen interest with which netizens follow my journey. I shall endeavour to update you more frequently,” he said.
