In a detailed statement issued on Tuesday, January 20, Salah responded to claims questioning whether he was truly present during Raila Odinga’s illness.
He maintained that he stood by the veteran politician from the onset of his sickness until his final moments, stressing that his remarks were not intended to seek sympathy or political advantage.
“I am the one being accused, so I will respond directly and calmly,” Salah said.
“I am the one being accused, so I will respond directly and calmly,” Salah said.
“I was with Baba Raila Odinga from the time he first fell ill until his final moments on earth. That is a fact. I am not saying this for relevance or political mileage, but because it is the truth.”
Salah described the experience as emotionally draining, saying he witnessed Raila endure immense pain, often with very limited company.
Salah described the experience as emotionally draining, saying he witnessed Raila endure immense pain, often with very limited company.
According to him, there were moments when he feared the worst as he tried to offer comfort and support.
“I was with Baba throughout his pain. I know what it felt like. There were moments when it was only me and a single security officer present, doing our best to steady him and help him through difficult moments. This is not a story—it is lived experience,” he stated.
Beyond his physical presence, Salah revealed that he and Raila shared extensive private conversations during this period.
“I was with Baba throughout his pain. I know what it felt like. There were moments when it was only me and a single security officer present, doing our best to steady him and help him through difficult moments. This is not a story—it is lived experience,” he stated.
Beyond his physical presence, Salah revealed that he and Raila shared extensive private conversations during this period.
However, he firmly declined to disclose the content of those discussions, saying silence should be interpreted as respect, not evasion.
“Baba and I had many conversations—personal, political, and strategic. Many of these were held privately by his choice. Out of respect for him and his family, I will not disclose those discussions. Silence should never be mistaken for fear or falsehood,” he said.
Salah also addressed accusations that he attempted to sideline Raila’s family or portray himself as more important than them. He strongly rejected claims that he disrespected Mama Ida Odinga or Raila’s children, calling such allegations malicious.
“I have never claimed to replace Baba’s family, nor have I ever disrespected Mama Ida or his children. Any suggestion that I insulted or undermined them is false and should be rejected completely,” Salah said.
He further welcomed public scrutiny, stating that he is willing to be interviewed on any credible platform to clarify his position. Salah warned against attempts to portray him as a scapegoat in ongoing political or internal party disputes.
“I am not afraid of scrutiny. Truth does not fear examination. What I will not accept is being turned into a convenient villain so others can fight internal battles or rewrite lived history. I did not force myself into anyone’s life. I was present because Baba allowed me to be present—consistently and knowingly,” he noted.
Salah concluded by asserting that online criticism and political drama cannot change what he knows to be true.
“I know where I stood. I know what I did. And I know what Baba entrusted me with. Those facts do not change because of online mobs or political theatrics,” he said.
His remarks come weeks after Raila Odinga’s sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, dismissed Salah’s earlier claims that Raila had privately warned him about Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna being a mole within the ODM party.
“Baba and I had many conversations—personal, political, and strategic. Many of these were held privately by his choice. Out of respect for him and his family, I will not disclose those discussions. Silence should never be mistaken for fear or falsehood,” he said.
Salah also addressed accusations that he attempted to sideline Raila’s family or portray himself as more important than them. He strongly rejected claims that he disrespected Mama Ida Odinga or Raila’s children, calling such allegations malicious.
“I have never claimed to replace Baba’s family, nor have I ever disrespected Mama Ida or his children. Any suggestion that I insulted or undermined them is false and should be rejected completely,” Salah said.
He further welcomed public scrutiny, stating that he is willing to be interviewed on any credible platform to clarify his position. Salah warned against attempts to portray him as a scapegoat in ongoing political or internal party disputes.
“I am not afraid of scrutiny. Truth does not fear examination. What I will not accept is being turned into a convenient villain so others can fight internal battles or rewrite lived history. I did not force myself into anyone’s life. I was present because Baba allowed me to be present—consistently and knowingly,” he noted.
Salah concluded by asserting that online criticism and political drama cannot change what he knows to be true.
“I know where I stood. I know what I did. And I know what Baba entrusted me with. Those facts do not change because of online mobs or political theatrics,” he said.
His remarks come weeks after Raila Odinga’s sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, dismissed Salah’s earlier claims that Raila had privately warned him about Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna being a mole within the ODM party.
Ruth insisted that Raila was open, direct, and did not engage in secretive political conversations.
Tags
People