NAIROBI — Businessman Oketch Salah, a close confidant of the late Raila Oding, has issued a public statement rejecting claims by Ruth Odinga that she barely knows him and urging him to give the family space.
In the detailed response circulated on social media, Salah expressed disappointment over Ruth’s recent media remarks, insisting his relationship was exclusively with the former ODM leader whom he referred to as “Baba,” and not with other family members.
“I have never forced myself into your life and I have never sought your attention,” Salah stated, emphasizing that he convinced Raila to allow Ruth to join them in India for medical treatment last year. He claimed he personally arranged her business-class Emirates ticket after persistent requests and only returned to Kenya early at Raila’s request to finalize his son’s wedding arrangements.
I Speak for the Truth, Not Politics. pic.twitter.com/cJAQxRch7s
— Oketch Salah (@Oketch_Salah) February 19, 2026
Salah, describing himself as self-sufficient from a established business family, said his contributions to ODM were solely at Raila’s behest and not driven by personal gain. He stressed that the party belongs to all Kenyans, not one family and warned Ruth against undermining her elder brother Oburu Odinga, the current party leader entrusted by Raila.
The businessman stood firm on his earlier assertions that Raila intended to endorse President William Ruto for a second term and supported a broad-based government. “I am duty-bound to speak honestly about what he told me,” he said.
Salah revealed he spent Raila’s final moments with him, describing those as deeply personal and vowed not to let the truth be distorted for political purposes.
The exchange highlights growing tensions within ODM following Raila Odinga’s recent passing in India, with succession battles and questions over the late leader’s political wishes fueling public debate. Ruth Odinga had previously distanced herself from Salah, stating he does not speak for the family or the party.
