Oketch Salah Explains Why Raila Called Him His ‘Adopted Son’

Migori businessman Oketch Salah has explained why he refers to himself as the “adopted son” of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying the nickname was given to him directly by the ODM leader.

Speaking during a public gathering on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Salah said Raila coined the name during preparations for the funeral of the late Rongo MP Dalmus Otieno.

According to Salah, Raila entrusted him with delivering a condolence message to the bereaved family on his behalf, alongside Dr. Oburu Odinga, who was representing the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family.

“He gave me a letter and told me to go and read it myself at Dalmus Otieno’s funeral,” Salah said.

“Dr. Oburu was given a separate letter from the Jaramogi family, and I was given Raila’s personal message.”

Oketch Salah Explains How He Got the Name “Adopted Son”

Salah said Raila specifically instructed him to attend the funeral as his representative.

“He told me, ‘You go there as my adopted son.’ That is where the name came from,” Salah said.

The businessman clarified that calling himself Raila Odinga’s adopted son does not mean he is a biological member of the Odinga family. He explained that Raila was a mentor to many Kenyans who regarded him as a father figure.

“Raila Odinga mentored many people. That is why he was called Baba. In that sense, many Kenyans were his adopted sons and daughters,” Salah said.

Also Read: Oketch Salah Holds Talks With Ida Odinga After Public Spat With Winnie

Salah further stated that he was born and raised in Migori by his own family and comes from a business background, adding that Raila did not raise him.

Migori Businessman Says He Doesn’t Have Personal Differences with Winnie Odinga

He also dismissed claims of any personal differences with EALA MP Winnie Odinga, saying he has no dispute with her or any member of the Odinga family.

“Winnie is my younger sister, and I have no problem with her. We are one family, and Kenyans are one family,” he said.

Also Read: Oketch Salah Speaks Out After Winnie Odinga Rejects Claims He Was Close to Raila

Oketch Salah’s response comes after he faced backlash from a section of Kenyans for referring to himself as the late ODM leader’s adopted son and claiming that he was by Raila Odinga’s side during his final moments, claims that Winnie Odinga publicly dismissed.

Speaking during a media interview on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Winnie said that neither she nor the Odinga family knows Salah, despite his public assertions that he is Raila Odinga’s “adopted son” and that he funded some of the former Prime Minister’s activities.

“I have met him, but I’d like to believe nobody really knows him,” Winnie said.

On the other hand, Salah has maintained his claims about being with Raila during his final moments, insisting that they are true.

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Oketch Salah and the late Raila during their happy moments. PHOTO/Salah/X