Miguna defends Oketch Salah, says criticism unfair

Lawyer Miguna Miguna has defended businessman Oketch Salah, saying recent public criticism targeting him is unwarranted and ignores the context of his long association with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Miguna said he has never met Salah but believes the scrutiny directed at him was “hypocritical, unreasonable and malicious”.

He argued that Raila, during his lifetime, was a highly protected and influential political figure who had full control over the people he allowed into his inner circle.

“Raila Amolo Odinga was a powerful, well connected, wealthy and influential politician who had heavily armed and well trained bodyguards and aides at all times,” Miguna said.

“Unless Raila chose to be in the company of someone, there is no way that such a person could have forced himself on him.”

Miguna said Salah had, over several years, been a familiar face around the Odinga family.

“Out of 50 million Kenyans, Raila freely chose Oketch Salah to be his aide, confidant and friend,” he stated.

“We have seen images and videos of Oketch Salah dancing, gallivanting and celebrating with Raila Odinga, Ida Odinga and other members of Raila’s family.”

His comments follow heightened attention on Salah after sections of the public questioned his proximity to the opposition leader.

Sallah, a businessman, has recently portrayed himself publicly as close to Raila, posting photos with Raila, and saying he was present during the former Prime Minister’s last moments.

According to Miguna, Salah also accompanied Raila on several trips abroad, including during treatment in the final months of his life.

“Oketch Salah accompanied Raila to numerous trips abroad,” he said, noting that other close associates such as Onyango Ketta also travelled with him during medical visits.

Public debate around Salah escalated after remarks by Eala MP Winnie Odinga, who recently addressed his association with her father.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Winnie dismissed Salah’s assertions that he was among the individuals close to Raila during his last 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.

Winnie refuted the claims, insisting that Salah was neither a confidant nor part of Raila’s inner circle.

“I have met him before, yes, but nobody really knows him,” she said during the show.

She described his statements as misleading and potentially harmful at a time when the Odinga family is grieving.

Winnie said anyone issuing unverified claims about Raila’s final moments should be subjected to evaluation by relevant authorities.

“Such fabrications should be investigated because they cause unnecessary distress,” she said.

Miguna referenced similar discussions, saying the businessman was being unfairly targeted despite having been openly accepted by Raila for years.

“These and other questions expose the hypocrisy and double standards by many Kenyans who have attacked Oketch Salah for no justified reasons,” he said.

Miguna insisted that Raila intentionally surrounded himself with individuals he trusted.

“If anyone deserves to be attacked for befriending Oketch Sallah, it’s Raila Amolo Odinga,” he remarked, arguing that the late leader made deliberate choices about the people in his political and personal space.

Miguna urged the public to focus on factual assessments rather than speculation. “Let’s speak the truth,” he said.