"What Are Your Intentions?" Winnie Odinga Fearlessly Questions Oketch Salah Over His Latest Allegations About His Father's Death

The ongoing turmoil within the Orange Democratic Movement has taken a dramatic personal turn, with East African Legislative Assembly MP Winnie Odinga leveling sharp criticism at Oketch Salah, the man who describes himself as the late Raila Odinga's adopted son and close confidant.

During Her appearance on Citizen TV, Winnie addressed Salah directly, questioning his credibility and motives amid conflicting narratives surrounding Raila's final days and political intentions. She stated fearlessly and i quote, 

"I have met Oketch Salah but I'd like to believe nobody really knows him," Winnie stated. She dismissed claims that Salah was present at the time of her father's death, calling it a flat-out lie. Winnie added that fabricating presence during Raila's passing and discussing events that "did not occur is quite dangerous and makes me question his intentions."

Her remarks spotlight Salah, who rose to prominence after accompanying Raila during his medical treatment in India, where the former Prime Minister died on August 15, 2025. Salah has shared personal accounts of Raila's health scares, last conversations including alleged plans to endorse President William Ruto in 2027 and claimed intimate access during Raila's illness. He has defended his proximity, insisting he was with Raila "from the time he fell ill until his final moments," while denying any disrespect to the Odinga family.

Winnie's intervention aligns with her broader alignment to the Edwin Sifuna-led faction, which emphasizes ODM's independence and electoral ambitions post-Raila. It contrasts with figures like Oburu Odinga, who once publicly embraced Salah as family, even "inheriting" him after Raila's death.

The exchange has ignited public debate, with some Kenyans on X expressing suspicion toward Salah's rapid rise and access to power, while others defend his loyalty to Raila. Winnie's words raise serious doubts about Salah's role and reliability, especially concerning sensitive details of Raila's death and legacy. As factional rifts deepen ahead of a potential National Delegates Convention, this personal confrontation underscores the high stakes in preserving or reinterpreting Raila Odinga's enduring influence in ODM and Kenyan politics.