Winnie Odinga Rejects Oketch Salah's Claims on Raila Odinga's Final Moments as
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has strongly dismissed assertions by businessman Oketch Salah that he was present during the final days and death of her father, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, labeling them as outright falsehoods and potentially harmful.
In an interview aired Tuesday night on Citizen TV's The Explainer, hosted by Yvonne Okwara, Winnie addressed the controversy head-on. She confirmed having met Salah previously but stressed that "nobody really knows him." She went on to describe his detailed accounts of being at Raila's side during his illness and passing as "a flat-out lie."
"I have met Oketch Salah, but I’d like to believe nobody really knows him," Winnie stated. "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 escalated her criticism by calling for immediate action, suggesting Salah "should be rushed to either Mathare or the DCI with immediate effect." Mathare refers to the Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital, often associated with mental health care, while DCI points to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The remarks stem from Salah's public statements claiming he provided emotional support to Raila throughout his illness, was present during key moments—including a health scare—and even shared private conversations. Salah has positioned himself as a close confidant and "adopted son" of Raila, sharing such narratives in media appearances and social media posts since Raila's death in India on August 15, 2025.
Winnie's rebuttal highlights the sensitivity surrounding the family's grief and the late leader's legacy. She emphasized that only close family members, including herself and her aunt Ruth Odinga, were by Raila's side at the end. Her comments also echo earlier family dismissals of Salah's proximity claims, including those from Raila Odinga Jr.
The interview has sparked intense online debate, with supporters praising Winnie for defending her father's memory and critics accusing her of harshness toward someone who claims loyalty to Raila. Salah has indicated he may respond soon but has so far refrained from direct confrontation, citing respect for Mama Ida Odinga.
This exchange adds to ongoing tensions within ODM circles following Raila's passing, where questions of legacy, influence, and succession continue to surface amid shifting political alliances.
