SK Macharia, the owner of Royal Media Services has been a long-term friend of ODM leader Raila Odinga and his family.
It turns out the media mogul’s relationship spreads through the Odinga family, having started with the former prime minister’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
While hosting musicians and politicians at his home in Ndakaini, Muranga county on Tuesday, July 28, SK Macharia delved deeper into the genesis of his long relationship with the Odinga’s.
“We were with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in the young turks (Kenyan who agitated for multiparty democracy in late 1980s and early ’90s), he was our elder brother. We used to consult. The first time I met Raila (Odinga) is when his late father Jaramogi wanted some money. He called me, we agreed and he sent Raila to my office.
“(When Raila arrived), he told me ‘I have been sent by my father’. I asked him who his father was and he said its Oginga Odinga. I gave him the money, and it became a routine,” SK Macharia shared.
The Royal Media owner also said that they share a long history with James Orengo, who was also a member of the young turks.
Due to their long-term friendship, Macharia has been a big supporter of ODM and Raila Odinga.
For all the times Raila Odinga has vied for the presidency, SK Macharia has rallied behind him and even bankrolled his campaigns.
SK Macharia’s support for Raila has at some point broken his relationship with elders in the Kikuyu community.
A section of elders from the Community once performed a ritual, spelling a curse on the Royal Media boss for supporting Raila Odinga.
However, after the March 2018 handshake between Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta, the region’s elders have warmed up to Raila Odinga.
On April 17, a different section of elders held a ritual to lift the curse on SK Macharia.
“We came here today with only one mission. To pray to God that he will cleanse the sins that were committed here back in 2017,
“We have forgiven those that spelt the curse and we know they will not come back to perform the same ritual,” said an elder while performing the ritual.
