Presidential hopeful Miguna Miguna has raised hard-hitting questions over the late Raila Odinga’s inner circle and family relations, reigniting debate following recent claims by Winnie Odinga that she did not know Oketch Sallah well.
In a lengthy Thursday statement, Miguna said attacks directed at Oketch Sallah were “hypocritical, unreasonable and malicious,” even as he clarified that he has never met or spoken to Sallah. He argued that Raila Odinga, whom he described as a powerful, wealthy and highly-protected political figure, could not have been influenced or infiltrated by anyone against his will.
“Out of 50 million Kenyans, Raila Amolo Odinga freely chose Oketch Sallah to be his aide, confidant and friend,” Miguna said. He added that Raila voluntarily granted Sallah unrestricted access to his personal and political life, sending him on multiple assignments both locally and abroad.
Miguna pointed to images and videos showing Sallah in the company of Raila, Ida Odinga and other family members, including during celebrations and foreign trips. He noted that Sallah accompanied Raila on numerous overseas visits, including medical trips in the final months of Raila’s life, insisting this demonstrated trust and closeness sanctioned by Raila himself.
Turning his focus to Ida Odinga, Miguna posed a series of pointed questions regarding her absence during Raila’s final days. He questioned why Ida was not with Raila as he lay dying in India, why she did not accompany him on more than 20 medical trips abroad, and why she was attending public functions and downplaying Raila’s illness just days before his death.
The firebrand lawyer also questioned Ida’s political choices after Raila’s burial, including her apparent rapprochement with President William Ruto, and contrasted this with past criticism directed at Raila’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga. He further accused Ida’s children of double standards, particularly on issues of age and leadership, noting inconsistencies in how Oburu and Ida herself are treated.
“These and other questions expose hypocrisy and double standards,” Miguna said, arguing that blame should not be placed on Sallah. Instead, he claimed responsibility lay with Raila, whom he accused of enabling questionable characters within his political orbit for decades.
Miguna Miguna concluded by urging Kenyans to confront uncomfortable truths rather than selectively apportion blame.
Anaitwa Miguna. He can make someone to go underground 😊