KAMPALA, Uganda — Conflicting accounts have emerged between East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga and businessman Oketch Salah over the late Raila Odinga’s final moments, fuelling fresh public debate as Kenyans continue to mourn one of the country’s most influential political figures.
The disagreement surfaced following an interview aired on Tuesday night on Citizen TV, during which Winnie Odinga publicly rejected claims by Salah that he was among those close to her father in his final 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,” she said.
Salah had earlier shared emotional recollections of the former Prime Minister, asserting that he spent meaningful time with him shortly before his death. Winnie, however, strongly disputed this account, insisting that Salah was neither a confidant nor part of Raila Odinga’s inner circle.
“I have met him before, yes, but nobody really knows him,” she said during the interview.
She described Salah’s statements as misleading and potentially harmful, particularly at a time when the Odinga family is still grieving. Winnie further suggested that individuals making unverified claims about Raila Odinga’s final moments should be subjected to scrutiny by relevant authorities.
“Such fabrications should be investigated because they cause unnecessary distress,” she said.
Her remarks sparked immediate reaction online, with supporters and critics weighing in on Salah’s proximity to the late opposition leader and questioning the motivations behind his public statements. Some commentators urged public figures to refrain from exploiting a sensitive national moment for attention.
Several hours later, Salah responded in a written statement shared online, saying he had deliberately avoided commenting earlier out of respect for Raila Odinga’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 clarify his position following the remarks made on national television.
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“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 said, without providing further details.
He added, “I have no interest in engaging in emotional exchanges during a time of mourning.”
The standoff has continued to draw strong reactions across social media platforms, with calls for clarity to prevent further confusion and misinformation. While some critics argue that both sides should exercise restraint out of respect for the bereaved family, others say accurate accounts of Raila Odinga’s final moments are important for the historical record.
Raila Odinga, who shaped Kenya’s political landscape for decades as an opposition leader, reform advocate and former Prime Minister, died on October 15, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in India. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across Kenya, Africa and the international community.
