Kileleshwa Ward MCA Robert Alai has thrown his weight behind Winnie Odinga in the escalating war of words against Oketch Salah. In a strongly worded statement, the vocal legislator termed Salah’s claims about Raila Odinga’s death as "distasteful" and urged authorities to rein in individuals using the family’s grief for political mileage.

Alai, known for his no-holds-barred approach to politics, did not spare the rod. He echoed Winnie’s sentiments that Salah’s narrative—that he was a key figure at the former Premier’s deathbed—was a fabrication designed to elevate his own status in the political pecking order.

Defending the Family

"You cannot simply wake up and insert yourself into history," Alai argued. He emphasized that the Odinga family deserves the space to mourn and narrate their own truth without interference from "political opportunists." The MCA’s intervention adds a layer of political muscle to Winnie’s complaints, signalling that the party’s rank and file are rallying behind the family.

The "Clout Chasing" Epidemic

The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about the culture of "clout chasing" in Kenyan politics, where proximity to power—even in death—is used as a currency.

• Verification Needed: Alai called for the media and public to scrutinize such claims before giving them airtime.
• Respect for Protocol: He reiterated that in Luo custom and national protocol, the immediate family and designated spokespersons are the only authorities on such sensitive matters.

A Unified Front

By siding with Winnie, Alai is drawing a line in the sand. The message to the political class is clear: the Odinga legacy is protected territory. As the debate rages, Oketch Salah finds himself increasingly isolated, facing the combined wrath of the Odinga bloodline and the ODM political machine.