East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has strongly rejected claims by businessman Oketch Salah that he was present during the final moments of her late father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, calling them “dangerous lies” and questioning his motives.
Speaking to Citizen TV on Tuesday, January 27, Winnie described Salah’s statements as false and inappropriate given the sensitive nature of her father’s passing.
“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, is quite dangerous and makes me question his intentions,” she said.
Winnie went further, urging authorities to investigate Salah’s actions.
“He should be rushed to either Mathare or the DCI with immediate effect,” she added.
The controversy comes days after Salah publicly claimed he had been with Raila Odinga from the onset of his illness until his final moments. He insisted that he shared the information not for sympathy or political gain, but because it was true, highlighting his role in providing emotional support and participating in private discussions during the period.
Winnie’s brother, Raila Odinga Junior, also dismissed Salah’s account in a brief social media post, writing simply: “Nonsense.”
Following Winnie’s interview, Salah responded, standing by his claims. In a statement on his X account Wednesday morning, he shared a photo of himself with the late premier and said he would not retract his statements, but would clarify further in an upcoming interview.
“I watched last night’s interview on Citizen TV with Yvonne Okwara, where Winnie spoke about me. 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 said.
He added, “Some things need clarity. I stand by everything I said about my last moments with Baba. Those moments were real, painful and lived. I will respond in an interview soon.”
The exchange highlights a brewing public controversy over Raila Odinga’s final days, with the Odinga family firmly rejecting any attempts to exploit the late premier’s illness for personal recognition, while Salah maintains his narrative.
