Businessman Oketch Salah has publicly responded to remarks made by Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, defending his relationship with the late opposition leader Raila Odinga and clarifying his role within ODM affairs.
His statement follows Ruth Odinga’s Wednesday night interview on KTN News, where she questioned his claims of closeness to her brother.
In a detailed response, Salah described the remarks as inaccurate and emphasized that his relationship was solely with Raila Odinga, whom he referred to as “Baba.”
He stated that he never sought recognition from other family members and respected their choice whether to associate with him.
Salah further claimed he played a logistical role during Raila’s final medical trip to India. He said he persuaded Ruth Odinga to travel to India after receiving calls indicating she wished to join them and arranged her business-class flight.
He added that he returned to Kenya earlier at Raila’s request to attend his son’s postponed wedding, with plans to reunite later in Dubai.
Addressing his involvement in ODM, Salah maintained that his contributions were made at Raila’s request and not for personal gain.
He stressed that ODM does not belong to any individual or family but to Kenyans nationwide, noting the late leader spent over two decades building it into a national movement.
He also urged Ruth Odinga to support her elder brother Oburu Odinga, whom he described as carrying party leadership responsibility entrusted in good faith.
Salah cautioned against internal divisions, warning that political infighting could weaken party unity.
On the contentious issue of Raila’s alleged political stance before his death, Salah said he would not retract his claims that the veteran leader intended to support President William Ruto for a second term as part of a broad-based government approach.
He insisted he was duty-bound to share what he had been told truthfully.
Salah concluded by stating he spent many of Raila’s final moments with him and would not allow those experiences to be misrepresented.
He said his response was driven by respect for Raila’s memory and a desire to set the record straight.