We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Oketch Salah issues a blistering defense of his relationship with the late Raila Odinga, slamming Ruth Odinga’s "erasure" of his role in the premier’s final days and revealing explosive details about the India medical trip.

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.
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 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.
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Sign in to start a discussion
Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 9 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 9 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 9 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 9 months ago
Key figures and persons of interest featured in this article