Why supporting Bunge La Wanainchi forums matters to me – Oketch Salah

Across Kenya’s towns and cities, Bunge La Wanainchi continues to function as an informal but influential people’s parliament, offering citizens a space to debate governance, social justice and everyday challenges that affect their lives.

From community halls to open grounds under jacaranda trees, these forums have endured as platforms for free expression and civic education, despite operating with limited resources.

Sustaining such grassroots spaces often depends on individual commitment, and for Oketch Salah, supporting Bunge La Wanainchi has become a personal undertaking grounded in the conviction that democracy is strongest when it is nurtured from the bottom up.

While he led a quiet life away from the glares of the camera, Salah shot to the limelight after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In a series of videos that have since gone viral, he is among the few people who spent a lot of time with the former PM locally and abroad. He describes himself as a son of the Odinga’s given his closeness with the Raila family.

Those familiar with his work describe him as a low-profile organiser who prioritises listening and practical action over public recognition or political ambition.

Salah has provided financial support to several Bunges, including Jacaranda Bunge in Nairobi, Kisumu Bunge and Manyatta Bunge.

Though each forum reflects its own local realities and concerns, they are united by a shared emphasis on public dialogue, civic responsibility and peaceful engagement.

At Jacaranda Bunge, one of the country’s most visible civic assemblies, Salah’s support has been directed toward essential operational needs such as organising forums, maintaining sound systems and facilitating transport for moderators and participants.

Organisers say these contributions, though modest, have had a tangible impact.

Meetings have become more consistent, allowing sustained discussion on governance, youth participation and accountability without frequent interruptions caused by logistical constraints.

In Kisumu, a city with a long history of political mobilisation, Salah’s assistance has helped Kisumu Bunge increase the regularity of its meetings and broaden participation.

Students, traders, artists and community elders have been able to engage more frequently in structured debates on economic inclusion, service delivery and leadership accountability.

By easing financial pressure, organisers note that the forum has been able to focus more on the quality and depth of discussions.

Manyatta Bunge, based in a densely populated area facing acute social and economic challenges, has also benefited.

Here, the emphasis has largely been on youth engagement and promoting peaceful dialogue.

Support has enabled the creation of more organised and secure meeting spaces, encouraging wider participation and reducing the likelihood of disruption.

Organisers say having a dependable supporter has boosted morale and affirmed the relevance of their work.

What distinguishes Salah’s involvement is his hands-off approach. He does not set agendas or attempt to influence debate outcomes, instead allowing each Bunge to determine its own priorities. This, he says, is deliberate.

“Bunges must remain independent and true to the people they serve; support should never compromise that autonomy,” Salah has said.

He has also framed his contributions as an investment in civic culture rather than an act of charity.

“These forums are schools of democracy where citizens learn to speak, listen and disagree without fear or violence,” he has noted, arguing that covering basic costs helps safeguard these democratic practices at a time when civic spaces face increasing strain.

Salah’s political consciousness was shaped in part by his close association with the late veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose role in Kenya’s democratic struggle underscored the importance of nonviolent mobilisation and organised citizen action.

Rather than pursue prominence, Salah has chosen to strengthen platforms that enable wananchi to question power and hold leaders accountable.

As Kenya grapples with complex social and economic pressures, the continued vitality of grassroots forums such as Bunge La Wanainchi remains critical.

Salah has indicated interest in extending support to more Bunges, particularly in underserved areas, with the aim of strengthening locally rooted civic spaces that give ordinary citizens a voice.