The battle for the narrative of Raila Odinga’s final days has erupted into open warfare. In a blistering rejoinder that has sent shockwaves through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), businessman Oketch Salah has fiercely rejected attempts by Ruth Odinga to disown him, declaring his presence in the late premier’s life as an undeniable, lived reality.

This is no longer just a disagreement; it is a full-blown struggle for historical accuracy and legitimacy within the Odinga inner circle. Following a televised dismissal by Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga—who claimed she "does not know" him—Salah has come out swinging. He insists that his proximity to the late opposition titan was not only genuine but pivotal, claiming he was the instrumental figure who persuaded "Baba" to seek specialized medical treatment in India during his final, agonizing weeks.

A "Lived and Painful" Reality

Speaking from an undisclosed location, a visibly agitated yet defiant Salah dismantled the narrative that he is a stranger to the Odinga family. "I will not allow the truth to be erased," he asserted, his voice shaking with emotion. "My moments with Baba were real, they were painful, and they were lived. To suggest otherwise is not just a lie; it is an insult to the memory of the man we all loved."

Salah’s counter-offensive provides intimate, hitherto unknown details of the timeline leading to Odinga’s death in October 2025. He alleges that while many political allies were jostling for position, he was intimately involved in the logistical and emotional labor of Odinga’s healthcare. "For the record, I am the one who convinced Baba to have you join us in India," he directed at his detractors, suggesting that the very family members now ostracizing him were beneficiaries of his interventions.

• The "Adopted Son" Controversy: Salah clarified that the title "adopted son" was not self-bestowed but a moniker Raila himself used during the funeral of Dalmas Otieno, a testament to their deep, personal bond.
• The India Connection: He claims to have flown with Raila to India, managing the delicate medical evacuation when hope was fading, a period he describes as "harrowing."
• The Family Rift: The dispute highlights a deepening fissure between Raila’s biological family—led by Winnie and Ruth Odinga—and the "political orphans" who claim a spiritual and ideological inheritance from the late leader.

The Gatekeepers vs. The Acolytes

The conflict exposes a raw nerve in the post-Raila era: who owns the memory of the Enigma? Ruth Odinga’s public disavowal on Citizen TV was seen by analysts as a move to consolidate the family’s control over Raila’s legacy and shield it from what they perceive as opportunistic hangers-on. However, Salah’s detailed rebuttal challenges this gatekeeping, painting a picture of a leader who found solace and support outside his immediate bloodline in his twilight years.

"I have never claimed to replace Baba’s family," Salah stated, softening his tone slightly. "But silence should never be mistaken for fear or falsehood. I was there when the cameras were off, and I will not apologize for caring for him." As the ODM party struggles to find its footing without its patriarch, this public spat serves as a grim reminder that the grieving process is far from over—and the fight for the soul of the movement is just beginning.