The simmering tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement have erupted into open warfare. Oketch Salah, the self-proclaimed "adopted son" of the late Raila Odinga, has fired a defiant salvo at his detractors, insisting his grassroots mobilization is a personal crusade to preserve a legacy, not a party rebellion.

The silence that has shrouded Oketch Salah since his dramatic public disowning by the Odinga family has finally been broken, and the message is anything but apologetic. In a calculated and fiery retort delivered from his Migori stronghold, the businessman has refused to back down, framing his recent political maneuvers as a necessary evolution of the opposition’s struggle. "I will not be silenced by those who think they own the memory of Baba," Salah declared, his voice trembling with a mix of reverence and rage.

This confrontation is more than a mere family spat; it exposes the deepening fractures within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as it struggles to define itself in a post-Raila era. Salah’s response comes hours after EALA MP Winnie Odinga publicly dismissed his claims of proximity to her late father as "false and dangerous," and the party machinery, led by Chairperson Gladys Wanga, issued a stinging statement distancing the outfit from his activities. At the heart of this conflict is the battle for the soul of the party—whether it remains a dynastic inheritance or evolves into the mass movement its founder envisioned.

The "Personal Capacity" Defense

Salah’s defense is anchored on a subtle but significant distinction: he claims his high-octane rallies and youth mobilization drives are funded entirely by his personal fortune, independent of the party’s coffers or command structure. This narrative serves two purposes. First, it insulates him from accusations of misappropriating party funds. Second, and more importantly, it positions him as a self-made political entrepreneur who owes nothing to the current party gatekeepers.

• The Financial Shield: Salah emphasized that every shilling spent on T-shirts, logistics, and mobilization comes from his pocket, challenging the party leadership to prove otherwise.
• The India Connection: He reiterated his controversial claim of being by Raila’s side during his final days in India, a narrative that Winnie Odinga has vehemently rejected as a fabrication.
• The Ruto Factor: Perhaps most incendiary is his unapologetic stance on working with President William Ruto’s government, a move he claims aligns with Raila’s final wish for a "broad-based government," but which purists view as betrayal.

A Party at War with Itself

The reaction from ODM headquarters has been swift and brutal. Chairperson Gladys Wanga’s midnight statement was a masterclass in bureaucratic excommunication, clarifying that Salah "does not speak for, represent, or bind" the party in any way. However, the ferocity of the response suggests that Salah is not just a nuisance, but a threat. His ability to mobilize distinct youth demographics in Nyanza has clearly rattled the established order, who fear his "personal" activities could fracture the party’s vote bank ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political analysts suggest that Salah is playing a long game. By aligning himself with the "Broad-Based Government" narrative while professing loyalty to Raila’s memory, he is carving out a niche for voters who are weary of traditional opposition politics but not yet ready to fully embrace the UDA ruling party. "He is creating a third lane in Nyanza politics," observed one local pundit. "It is a dangerous gamble, but if it pays off, he becomes indispensable."

As the dust settles on this latest exchange, the ball is now in the court of the party’s top brass. Will they move to expel Salah and risk making him a martyr, or will they attempt to co-opt his energy? For Salah, the path is clear. "I am ODM by blood, not by paper," he concluded, a line that will surely resonate with the grassroots, even as it infuriates the party elites in Nairobi.