Former prime minister Raila Odinga’s ‘adopted son,’ Oketch Salah, has faced backlash after meeting the president of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, on Monday, January 26. Oketch Salah explains details about his meeting with Puntland president, Said Deni. Salah said he held bilateral talks with the Deni on behalf of President William Ruto, sparking outrage. Why was Salah’s meeting with Deni important? The businessman stated that the meeting was focused on strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Kenya and Puntland through practical partnerships and regional stability. “Our focus was on practical partnerships, regional stability, and opening up opportunities that directly benefit our people. Strong regional cooperation builds strong economies and lasting relationships,” Salah said. A section of Kenyans responded to his visit, with many urging him to be transparent about his meeting, noting that Puntland is not an independent country, despite operating its own government. Other Kenyans questioned why he held bilateral talks on behalf of the country without holding any known office. Salah has been vocal on matters of politics with several public appearances following the death of Raila, raising concerns about his intentions. Amid speculation, he vowed to address the puvlic concerns and share Raila’s final wishes. How did Kenyans react to the Salah-Deni meeting? Burke Baxton “Between Kenya and Puntland. Is he a Kenyan president? Or a Kenyan ambassador to Puntland, or he helps a discussion on behalf of Kenya on what ground… Jeso!”
Danson Lomuria “Which office in the Republic of Kenya are you assigned to?” Narry David “What’s your title, sir? For the sake of keeping records straight.” King Såmïìr Såmïìr “Which office is this guy running for, by the way? Yaani, out of nowhere after the enigma’s demise, you’re running an office.” Yusuf Sheikh Abdirahman “Don’t mislead people. Which people are you claiming to represent? What consultative meetings are you referring to? And what role do you actually hold?” Zack Cabaas “Presenting this interaction as a bilateral discussion between two countries is misleading given that one individual is a federal member state governor and the other is a private businessman. Neither of whom holds a national diplomatic mandate.” Fredrick Omondi Odundo “This guy must have gone for a business deal..on behalf of a high-ranking government official.” Michael Mutuku “Madness, what is your portfolio, Mr. Salah Oketch, in the Kenyan government?…Probably this is aimed at pleasing your few followers.”
By Nancy Odindo
