Oketch Salah insists he spent painful final moments with Raila despite family denials
By Charles Ouma, February 19, 2026Oketch Salah has insisted that he was with Raila Odinga during the former Prime Minister’s final days despite denials by members of the departed leader’s family who have asserted that they barely know the businessman who identifies himself as Raila’s adopted son.
In a statement on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Salah stated that he was by Raila’s side during the overwhelming final days, adding that he will not allow the truth of his presence around the former Prime Minister in his final days to be erased or politicised.
With a heavy heart, the businessman described the moments as real, painful and deeply personal.
“I say this with a heavy heart: I am the one who spent most of Baba’s final moments with him. Those moments were real, painful and deeply personal. I will not allow that truth to be erased or turned into political theatre,” he said.
Salah’s truth on relationship with Raila
He confirmed his position that he was speaking his version of the truth, not out of anger but in honour of Raila’s memory.
“I speak today not out of anger but out of respect for Baba’s memory and for the truth,” Salah added.
Salah’s relationship with Raila and his presence around the former Prime Minister in the latter’s final days continues to be a controversial subject, with the family’s account conflicting with that of the businessman.
The businessman who has been on a political charm offensive with an elevated profile in the days following Raila’s death insists that he had a
Raila’s family dismiss Salah
Raila’s sister, Ruth Odinga, noted in an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that she barely knows Salah.
“I really don’t know him that well. I am one of the people surprised that he says he knows me. In my whole life, I have met Oketch Salah about three times,” she said.
Her account is aligned with Winnie Odinga’s truth, with the East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament dismissing Salah as a serial liar.
“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,” Winnie said on January 27, 2026.