Miguna Slams Attacks on Oketch Salah, Calls Criticism Unfair

A side by side Image of Lawyer Miguna Miguna and Businessman Salah Oketch

Lawyer Miguna Miguna has come to the defence of businessman Oketch Salah, saying the criticism directed at him over his association with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is unfair and misleading.

In a statement, Miguna said he has never met Salah but described the attacks against him as “hypocritical, unreasonable and malicious,” arguing they ignore Raila’s stature and the control he exercised over his inner circle.

According to Miguna, Raila was a powerful and highly protected political figure who could not be accessed without his consent.

“Unless Raila chose to be in the company of someone, there is no way such a person could have forced himself on him,” Miguna said, noting that the former prime minister was always surrounded by well-trained security and aides.

He added that Salah had been a familiar figure around the Odinga family for years and was openly accepted by Raila.

“Out of 50 million Kenyans, Raila freely chose Oketch Salah to be his aide, confidant and friend,” Miguna stated, citing photos and videos showing Salah socialising with Raila, his wife Ida Odinga, and other family members.

Public scrutiny of Salah intensified after he publicly portrayed himself as close to Raila, sharing images with the opposition leader and claiming he was present during Raila’s final moments.

Miguna said Salah accompanied Raila on several foreign trips, including during medical treatment in the final months of his life, alongside other known associates.

The debate escalated after EALA MP Winnie Odinga dismissed Salah’s claims, terming them false and dangerous.

Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Winnie said Salah was not present during her father’s final moments and was not part of Raila’s inner circle.

“A flat-out lie that you were there at the time of my father’s death and talking about things that did not occur is quite dangerous and makes me question his intentions,” she said.

Winnie acknowledged having met Salah before but maintained that he was not a confidant of her father. She added that such claims were distressing to the family and should be investigated.

Miguna, however, argued that Salah was being unfairly targeted, insisting that Raila deliberately chose the people he associated with.

“These attacks expose the hypocrisy and double standards of many Kenyans,” Miguna said, adding that Raila was fully responsible for the company he kept.

He urged the public to avoid speculation and focus on facts, calling for a more measured discussion around the matter.