A fresh public spat has erupted between businessman Oketch Salah and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga following her remarks distancing herself from him and dismissing claims of close ties to the Odinga family.
The disagreement adds to ongoing tensions surrounding Salah’s alleged relationship with the late opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking in an interview with KTN, Ruth Odinga stated that she barely knows Salah and has only met him on three occasions in her lifetime.
“I really don’t know him that well, but I am surprised he is one of the people who speaks and says that he knows me. In my whole life, I have met Salah three times,” she said.
She further addressed claims surrounding events in India during Raila Odinga’s final moments, stating that by the time she arrived, Salah had already left.
“By the time I got to India, I never saw him. I’m the one who was with my brother when he passed away. I came when he had already left. Whether he left because he was scared of me coming, I would not be able to tell you. I don’t know him,” she added.
Her remarks appeared to dismiss Salah’s assertions that he had a close personal relationship with the Odinga family.
Oketch Salah Fires Back
In a strongly worded statement, Oketch Salah responded, insisting that his relationship was solely with Raila Odinga and not with other members of the family.
“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,” Salah said.
“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 went further to claim that he facilitated Ruth Odinga’s travel arrangements to India.
“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.
The latest exchange adds to previous tensions between Salah and members of the Odinga family. Recently, Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, also dismissed Salah’s account of the former prime minister’s final moments, further deepening questions around his claims.
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