Former Kenyan ambassador to Washington DC Ogego Oginga has dismissed claims that he is related to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

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While appearing before parliamentary committee on Defense and Foreign Relations, Mr. Oginga termed the claims as 'social media rumours'.

"My name is Oginga, my father's name is Ogego. Catholics are given two names one is Peter and Nicholas is my confirmation name," he said.

Oginga, whose full names are Peter Nicholas Rateng Oginga Ogego, was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to head Kenya's mission in Saudi Arabia.

He said: ""I am not related to anybody of influence."

A section of social media users linked his appointment to President Uhuru's new chemistry with opposition leader Raila Odinga.

In 2010, President Mwai Kibaki recalled Mr. Ogego from Washington DC after his tenure came to an end.

Local media also linked Ogego, Paddy Ahenda, Joe Ager and Kathleen Openda's appointment to Raila's new fond relationship with Uhuru.

Early this week, a section of Muslim clerics opposed Ogego's appointment insisting that Uhuru should have gone for someone with Islamic religion knowledge.