Conflicting accounts have emerged between the late ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga and businessman Oketch Salah regarding his final moments before death. The exchange has stirred fresh debate online as Kenyans continue to process the demise of the longtime opposition leader.
The clash began after an interview aired on Tuesday night on a local national TV, where Winnie dismissed Salah’s assertions that he was among the individuals close to Raila during his last hours.
“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,” Winnie said.
Winnie strongly refuted the claims, insisting that Salah was neither a confidant nor part of Raila’s inner circle.
“I have met him before, yes, but nobody really knows him,” she said during the show.
She described his statements as misleading and potentially harmful at a time when the Odinga family is grieving.
Winnie added that anyone issuing unverified claims about Raila’s final moments should be subjected to evaluation by relevant authorities.
Her remarks triggered immediate public discussion, with many questioning Salah’s proximity to Raila and the motivations behind his statements.
Some supporters echoed Winnie’s concerns, arguing that public figures must avoid exploiting a sensitive national moment.
Salah responded several hours later in a written statement posted online.
He said he had intentionally avoided commenting earlier out of respect for Raila’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga.
“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 that despite his silence, he felt compelled to offer clarity in light of the comments made on national television.
“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,” he stated, without giving further details.
He added, “I have no interest in engaging in emotional exchanges during a time of mourning.”
The standoff has generated intense reactions across social media platforms, with users calling for clarity to avoid further confusion.
Some critics argued that both sides should exercise restraint out of respect for the family, while others insisted that truthful accounts of Raila’s final moments are important for the historical record.
