Political commentator and X influencer George Diano has triggered a heated online dispute after daring businessman Oketch Salah to sue him over allegations touching on his identity and alleged links to Kenya’s intelligence leadership.
In an X post, Diano claimed Salah previously presented himself as a relative of Noordin Haji, the current Director-General of the National Intelligence Service.
He alleged that the businessman invoked the purported connection to gain credibility and influence in business and political circles.
“Oketch Salah used to go around claiming that he was a relative of Noordin Haji. He is even on record saying that they were cousins and that he was related to the NIS Director,” Diano wrote.
Diano further asserted that Salah later retracted the alleged claims after they were publicly challenged.
“He was later forced to publicly denounce those claims after I exposed him. The mikora even had to issue a statement saying that all Somalis are cousins,” he added.
The commentator also questioned Salah’s nationality and clan background, alleging he is of Somali origin and linked to the Awrtable sub-clan within the Darod clan family.
He suggested the alleged name-dropping may have been intended to facilitate questionable dealings, though he did not present evidence to support the claim.
Maintaining that he stands by his assertions, Diano challenged Salah to pursue legal action if the statements are false.
“He is free to go to court and sue me for defamation if any of this is untrue,” he wrote, adding that he was ready to confront critics online.
Beyond the current dispute, Salah has frequently drawn public scrutiny due to his outspoken political commentary and involvement in high-profile public debates.
His name recently surfaced in a controversy involving the family of Raila Odinga, after remarks he made about the veteran opposition figure sparked backlash.
Winnie Odinga publicly rebuked Salah during a televised interview, criticizing what she described as disrespectful commentary directed at her family.
In a separate broadcast appearance, Ruth Odinga also faulted the businessman’s remarks, urging greater decorum in political discourse and ordered him to give the Raila family a break.