Nairobi, January 28- A fresh wave of controversy has hit Kenyan political circles after a public dispute between businessman Oketch Salah and members of the late Raila Odinga’s family sparked intense debate over the narrative of the veteran leader’s last moments.
Winnie Odinga Denounces Oketch Salah’s Claims
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late Raila Odinga, has taken a firm stand against claims made by businessman Oketch Salah about being present during her father’s final moments. In an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, January 27, Winnie described Salah’s assertions as “dangerous lies” and questioned his intentions in publicizing them.
“I have met Oketch Salah, but I’d like to believe nobody really knows him. A flat-out lie that you were there at the time of my father’s death and you were not, and talking about things that did not occur… makes me question his intentions,” she said, dismissing his account categorically.
Winnie Odinga also suggested authorities should look into Salah’s claims, controversially remarking that he should be examined by either medical or investigative institutions.
Oketch Salah Responds on Social Media
Following Winnie’s television appearance, Oketch Salah posted a response on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging that he had watched the interview. He said his initial silence was out of respect for Mama Ida Odinga, the late leader’s widow.
“Because of the respect I have for Her Excellency the Ambassador, Mama Ida Min Piny from Migori, I chose to remain quiet. That was a deliberate decision,” Salah wrote.
However, he insisted that his firsthand accounts of his “last moments with Baba” were genuine, painful, and real. He affirmed his intention to address the matter in a forthcoming interview to lay out his perspective.
Raila Junior Weighs In
Notably, Raila Odinga Junior, the late leader’s son, reacted to Salah’s post with a one-word rebuttal: “Nonsense.” This response reflects the perceived rejection of Salah’s narrative by the immediate family and adds another layer to the public dispute.
Public Debate and Broader Context
The clash over competing accounts has stirred widespread discussion online and in political circles, highlighting how sensitive recollections of Raila Odinga’s final days remain. Odinga, a central figure in Kenyan politics for four decades and former prime minister, passed away on October 15, 2025.
