In an explosive interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga did not mince words as she addressed what she termed “misleading” narratives surrounding the death of her father, Raila Amolo Odinga.
At the center of the storm is businessman Oketch Salah, who has recently made public claims that he was by the side of the “Enigma” during his final hours.
“A Very Big Lie”
Winnie Odinga categorically denied that Salah was part of the inner circle present at the time of her father’s passing. She described his detailed accounts of supporting the late leader through intense pain as fabrications.
“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,” Winnie stated during the interview.
The “Adopted Son” Narrative
Salah had previously referred to himself as an “adopted son” of the late Prime Minister, sharing emotional stories of their alleged private discussions on personal and political matters. He claimed to have been with Raila from the onset of his illness until his last breath.
Winnie, however, dismissed these claims as an attempt to gain relevance or exploit a grieving family’s situation. She went as far as suggesting that such actions warrant investigation by the DCI, citing the potential for these “fabrications” to cause unnecessary national distress.
Oketch Salah Fires Back
Following the interview, Oketch Salah issued a statement on Wednesday, January 28, standing by his story. He noted that his initial silence was out of respect for the widow, Mama Ida Odinga, but he insisted that his experiences were “real and lived.”
“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,” Salah posted on his social media accounts.
Raila Junior Weighs In
The tension escalated when Raila Odinga Junior also joined the fray. In a short, punchy response on social media, he dismissed Salah’s claims with a single word: “Nonsense.”
Why This Matters
The death of Raila Odinga has left a massive political and emotional vacuum in Kenya. As the family and the nation seek to preserve his legacy, conflicting accounts of his final moments are being viewed with high scrutiny. For supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the priority remains factual clarity and respect for the family’s privacy during this period of mourning.
