Oketch Salah Fires Back at Ruth Odinga Over Remarks on Raila’s Final Days

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By Wilson Amondo

A fresh political storm has erupted within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Oketch Salah publicly responded to remarks made by Ruth Odinga, sister to the late Raila Odinga.

In a strongly worded statement, Salah accused Ruth of making “inaccurate” claims during an appearance before a major media house, insisting that his relationship was solely with her late brother and not with the wider Odinga family.

“If you do not wish to associate with me, that is entirely your choice,” Salah stated, adding that he had never forced himself into her life nor sought her attention. 

He maintained that his engagement in ODM affairs and proximity to Raila were based purely on personal trust and political collaboration with the former Prime Minister.

Salah further revealed details surrounding Raila’s final days, claiming he facilitated Ruth’s travel to India after receiving calls that she wished to join them. 

He said he personally arranged her business class ticket on Emirates and only returned to Kenya at Raila’s request to finalize his son’s postponed wedding, with plans to reconnect in Dubai after Raila’s medical trip to Kerala.

Salah urged Ruth to support her elder brother, Oburu Odinga, whom he described as carrying the responsibility of party leadership in good faith.

On the broader political front, Salah stood by his controversial claim that Raila had expressed intentions to endorse President William Ruto for a second term under a broad-based government arrangement. He said he would not retract those remarks, asserting that he was duty-bound to speak honestly about what Raila told him.

In an emotional conclusion, Salah said he spent most of Raila’s final moments with him and would not allow that experience to be “erased or turned into political theatre.”

The exchange signals growing tensions within ODM as debates intensify over Raila’s legacy, party leadership and the direction of opposition politics in Kenya.

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