Raila’s Spokesperson Confirms Oketch Salah Was by His Side Until Final Moments

Dennis Onyango, spokesperson to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has confirmed that Migori businessman Oketch Salah was a close ally of Raila and remained by his side until his final moments.

Onyango spoke out amid public debate over Salah’s relationship with the late ODM leader.

Speaking in a media interview on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Onyango stated that he did not want to get involved in family matters, where there has been a public back-and-forth between some of Raila Odinga’s family members and Oketch Salah regarding his closeness to the former Prime Minister.

However, Onyango stressed that everyone who worked closely with Raila knew who Oketch Salah was.

“I don’t want to get into family issues. Everyone who worked around Raila knows Oketch Salah. I met him. I travelled with him. He was Raila’s friend,” Onyango said.

Oketch Salah’s Role in Raila Odinga’s Final Days

He added that the friendship was personal and not something he needed to question, emphasising that Oketch Salah’s presence around Raila was accepted by everyone who worked with the late former Prime Minister.

“Why they were friends, I don’t know. As an aide, if you want to help your boss, you help him accommodate his people. If Raila showed up with Oketch Salah, it was not for me to question. So, Oketch Salah was Raila’s friend,” added Onyango.

Onyango revealed that Oketch Salah was present during Raila’s final moments. On the day Raila left for India, Salah was at his home in Karen, accompanying him on the trip.

“On the final day when Raila was leaving for India, we were together with Oketch Salah at his home in Karen. He brought a phone, an iPhone 17, and we left together with Raila,” Onyango said.

Also Read: ODM Distances Itself from Oketch Salah

Onyango Reveals He Spoke to Raila in India Through Oketch Salah’s Phone

He further explained that in India, he sometimes spoke to Raila directly on his phone and, at times, through Oketch Salah’s phone.

When asked whether Oketch Salah was considered Raila’s adopted son, Onyango dismissed the claim as figurative. He highlighted that Salah’s family is well-known in Migori, where Onyango also comes from.

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

“Oketch Salah’s father was a businessman in Migori and the first person to establish a bakery there. I grew up knowing Salah Bakery. Oketch Salah found himself in that space, and it would not be right for me to say I don’t know him,” Onyango said.

Onyango also said he could not explain why Salah was around Raila or what specific role he played, but noted that many times Raila instructed him to work with Salah or travel with him.

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Businessman Oketch Salah during an engagement at KICC on February 6, 2026. PHOTO/ Oketch Salah X.