Oketch Salah, popularly known as Raila Odinga’s adopted son, has issued a firm response to claims attributed to Winnie Odinga that some individuals are attempting to “copy-paste Baba,” dismissing the accusations as false, malicious, and politically driven.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 20, Salah denied allegations that he had disrespected or sidelined members of the Odinga family, or that he was positioning himself to replace Raila Odinga’s children within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. He said the narrative was being pushed to damage his reputation amid internal political contestations.
Salah insisted that he has never claimed to replace the Odinga family or disrespected Mama Ida Odinga or her children. “Any suggestion that I insulted, sidelined, or spoke ill of them is false and malicious,” he said, adding that he felt compelled to respond calmly and directly since the accusations were aimed at him personally.
Addressing perceptions about his closeness to the late opposition leader, Salah stated that his presence around Raila Odinga was neither forced nor secretive. “I did not force myself into anyone’s life. I was present because Raila allowed me to be present, consistently and knowingly,” he said, noting that this included Odinga’s final moments.
Salah further explained that his silence on certain issues had been misinterpreted. He said his decision not to publicly discuss private conversations was guided by respect for Raila Odinga and his family, not fear or guilt.
The controversy intensified after Salah was quoted suggesting that ODM members unhappy with the party’s cooperation with UDA under the broad-based government should consider leaving—remarks widely interpreted as targeting Winnie Odinga. Salah, however, denied directing the comments at her or seeking to undermine the family.
While rejecting the allegations, Salah said he remains open to public scrutiny and is willing to address the matter on any credible media platform, warning against using the family’s grief to score political points or rewrite what he termed Raila Odinga’s lived history.