The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has moved to crush the rising influence of Migori businessman Oketch Salah, publicly disowning him and declaring him a persona non grata in the party's official sanctums.

In a midnight statement that smacked of panic and decisiveness, ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga severed all ties with Salah, whose recent activities have caused confusion and consternation within the Orange party. Salah, a flamboyant figure who has recently been traversing the country claiming to be a confidante and "adopted son" of the late party leader Raila Odinga, was accused of running a parallel agenda that undermines the party's structure.

The "Adopted Son" Narrative

Salah’s trouble began when he started organizing grassroots mobilization drives, ostensibly for ODM, but funded by opaque sources and featuring rhetoric that aligns suspiciously with the ruling UDA administration. He has been quoted claiming that Raila Odinga wanted ODM to work with President Ruto in 2027—a claim that the Odinga family has vehemently rejected as a fabrication.

"Any activities, statements, or engagements undertaken by Oketch Salah are carried out strictly in his personal capacity," Wanga’s statement read. "He does not speak for, represent, or bind the Orange Democratic Movement in any way." The rebuke was a direct response to a recent event at the KICC where Salah hosted youths wearing ODM t-shirts but sporting caps with President Ruto’s portrait—a visual contradiction that enraged the party faithful.

Family Fury

The political disownment follows a personal one. Last week, Winnie Odinga, the late premier’s daughter, publicly dismissed Salah’s claims of being part of the Odinga household. "He is not my brother. He is not my father's son. He is an opportunist dancing on a grave," she reportedly told a local TV station. The family is said to be furious at Salah’s attempts to rewrite Raila’s legacy to suit his own political climbing.

• The UDA Connection: Insiders claim Salah is a "Trojan Horse"—a proxy used by the government to infiltrate and divide the Luo voting bloc. His deep pockets and access to State House functions have only fueled these rumors.
• The Secretariat's Stand: The party has reiterated that all official programs must be channeled through the Secretariat under the guidance of Party Leader Oburu Oginga. Salah’s "freelance" mobilization is seen as a direct challenge to Oburu’s authority.
• Migori Roots: Despite his national posturing, Salah’s base remains Migori, where he has built a reputation as a philanthropist. However, without the ODM ticket, his political ambitions in Nyanza face a steep uphill climb.

The Gatekeepers Strike Back

The swift action by Wanga and the Odinga family signals a closing of ranks. The party is keen to purge any elements that could be used to dilute its identity ahead of the 2027 polls. For Oketch Salah, the message is clear: money can buy crowds, but it cannot buy the legitimacy of the Orange House.

As the dust settles, Salah finds himself politically orphaned—disowned by the party he claimed to love and rejected by the family he claimed to belong to. His next move will determine if he is a serious political player or just a fleeting shadow in the long history of Nyanza politics.