Lawyer Miguna Miguna has firmly defended businessman Oketch Salah, asserting that the recent public criticism directed at him is both unwarranted and fails to acknowledge his long-standing relationship with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Miguna, who has never met Salah, argues that the scrutiny aimed at him is “hypocritical, unreasonable, and malicious.”
He emphasizes that Raila, throughout his life, was a highly protected and influential political figure who maintained strict control over those he allowed into his inner circle.
“Raila Amolo Odinga was a powerful, well-connected, wealthy, and influential politician who always had heavily armed and well-trained bodyguards and aides,” Miguna stated. “Unless Raila chose to associate with someone, there was no way that individual could have forced themselves into his company.”
Miguna points out that Salah has been a familiar presence around the Odinga family for many years. “Out of 50 million Kenyans, Raila freely chose Oketch Salah to be his aide, confidant, and friend,” he remarked.
He noted the numerous images and videos showcasing Salah celebrating and dancing with Raila Odinga, Ida Odinga, and other family members, highlighting their close relationship.
This defense comes amid intensified scrutiny of Salah, as segments of the public question his closeness to the opposition leader. Recently, Salah has publicly positioned himself as intimately connected to Raila, sharing photos and claiming he was present during the former Prime Minister’s final moments.
Miguna detailed that Salah accompanied Raila on several trips abroad, including during critical medical treatments in the last months of his life. “Oketch Salah accompanied Raila on numerous overseas trips,” he stated, mentioning that other close associates, such as Onyango Ketta, were also present during these medical visits.
Public discourse surrounding Salah escalated following remarks from Eala MP Winnie Odinga, who addressed his association with her father. In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Winnie dismissed Salah’s claims of being close to Raila during his last hours. “It is a flat-out lie that you were there at the time of my father’s death; you were not, and making unsubstantiated claims is quite dangerous and raises questions about your intentions,” she asserted.
Winnie rejected the notion that Salah was part of Raila’s inner circle, stating, “I have met him before, yes, but nobody really knows him.” She characterized his statements as misleading and potentially harmful, especially as the Odinga family navigates their grief.
She called for scrutiny of anyone making unverified claims about Raila’s final moments, stating, “Such fabrications should be investigated because they cause unnecessary distress.”
Miguna echoed these sentiments, arguing that Salah has been unjustly targeted despite being openly accepted by Raila for years. “These and other questions reveal the hypocrisy and double standards among many Kenyans who have unjustly criticized Oketch Salah,” he commented.
He insisted that Raila consciously surrounded himself with individuals he trusted. “If anyone should be criticized for befriending Oketch Salah, it’s Raila Amolo Odinga,” he remarked, asserting that the late leader made deliberate choices about his political and personal associations.
Miguna urged the public to prioritize factual assessments over speculation. “Let’s speak the truth,” he concluded.
