Did Ruth Odinga really not know Oketch Salah?

Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has ignited public debate after stating that she does not know Oketch Salah, a man widely described as the adoptive son and close associate of her late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking during an interview on KTN, Ruth was asked to clarify who Oketch Salah is.

She responded by distancing herself from him, saying she had only met him a few times in her life.

“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. I don't know him, and I would not like to be engaged in talking about Oketch Salah,” she said.

Her remarks surprised many observers, particularly because during Raila’s funeral service held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo on October 19, 2025, she publicly thanked Salah and bodyguard Maurice Ogeta for standing by her brother during his final moments.

Raila died on October 15, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala, India, where he had been receiving treatment.

Ruth’s remarks raised doubts as Dennis Onyango, a longtime aide to the late Raila, defended Salah in a separate interview with a local media station two days earlier on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Onyango said those questioning Salah’s connection to Raila were mistaken.

“Everyone who worked around Raila knew Oketch Salah. I met him, I travelled with him, and he was Raila’s friend. Why they were friends, I don’t know,” Onyango said.

He described Salah as a close companion who was frequently in Raila’s company, including shortly before the former premier travelled to India for what would become his final journey.

Onyango recalled that Salah had even brought Raila an iPhone 17 and remained in close contact while he was abroad.

Onyango added that during his years working with Raila, Salah was a constant presence. He said he travelled with both men on numerous occasions and maintained communication with Raila while he was in India, sometimes directly through Salah’s phone.

Following Ruth Odinga’s televised remarks, Oketch Salah issued a statement disputing her claims and defending his relationship with the late leader.

“It is unfortunate that you chose to go before a major media house and make statements that are not accurate,” Salah said.

“Let me be clear from the outset: if you do not wish to associate with me, that is entirely your choice. I have never forced myself into your life and I have never sought your attention. My relationship was with your late brother, Baba and that relationship stood on its own. It had nothing to do with any other member of the family.”

Salah also rejected suggestions that he leveraged his ties with Raila for political gain. He went further to claim that he facilitated Ruth Odinga’s travel to India during Raila’s final days.

“For the record, I am the one who convinced Baba to have you join us in India, after Jeff Oyier called him several times, saying that you wanted to come. I am also the one who arranged your business class ticket on Emirates,” he stated.