Businessman and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician Oketch Salah has accused Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga of making false statements during a media interview.
In a fiery statement on February 19, 2026, Salah defended his relationship with the late Raila Odinga and stated that he had nothing to do with the entire family.
” It is unfortunate that you chose to go before a major media house and make statements that are not accurate,” read the statement.
This follows an interview, where Ruth Odinga, denied knowing Oketch Salah, saying that they had only met about three times.
“I really don’t know him that well. I am one of the people surprised that he says he knows me. In my whole life, I have met Oketch Salah about three times,” claimed Odinga.
Oketch Salah Defends His Role with the Late Prime Minister
Salah, who claimed he was Raila Odinga’s personal doctor, has roared back at Odinga, saying that if she does not want to associate with him, it’s her choice, and that he has never forced himself on her.
Also Read: Boost for Ruth Odinga as Raila’s Biographer Defends Her ODM Stand
According to Salah, his relationship with Raila Odinga stood on its own, and had nothing to dow with Odinga’s family.
“Let me be clear from the outset: if you do not wish to associate with me, that is entirely your choice. I have never forced myself into your life and I have never sought your attention. My relationship was with your late brother, Baba and that relationship stood on its own. It had nothing to do with any other member of the family,” read the statement.
When Raila Odinga was in India, Salah claimed that he was the one responsible for convincing Raila for Ruth to join them in India and that he organized the business class ticket to Emirates.
This was after Ruth claimed that Salah was not in India when she arrived
“For the record, I am the one who convinced Baba to have you join us in India, after Jeff Oyier called him several times saying that you wanted to come. I am also the one who arranged your business class ticket on Emirates,” claimed Salah
Ruth Odinga Denies Close Ties with Oketch Salah
In an interview, Ruth Odinga strongly denied knowing the businessman.
The lawmaker acknowledged him as being close to Raila, calling on him to give them space as a family
“The only thing is that I feel that if at all he was my brother’s friend, or son as he calls himself,because I don’t know I have a sonhe should have been able to have the integrity that if my brother had talked to him and confided,he shouldn’t be able to come out and say my brother told him that and told him this. So for me, Oketch Salah is an issue. But I would like to ask him to please give us the space as a family to be a family,” said Odinga.
Also Read: Tribunal Stops Sifuna’s Removal as ODM Secretary General
Odinga’s Family in ODM Rift
The Odinga family is navigating a delicate future without Raila, with the broad-based government and a looming pre-election pact between ODM and President William Ruto at the heart of it.
Already, cracks are emerging with Oburu Odinga supporting the broad-based government while Ruth Odinga, Winnie, and Junior pulling in the opposite direction.
Ruth, who is also eyeing the Kisumu Gubernatorial seat, has called for caution and warned against rushing into a deal with the government.
In the interview, Ruth Odinga defended the embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, saying she was the one who opposed his removal as the party’s spokesperson.
Oburu accused Sifuna of misrepresenting the party, which caused tension within ODM and led to his removal from office.
Salah has urged Odinga to work collaboratively with Oburu, the party leader responsible for not stopping the sidelining.
“I also say this with respect: you should stop fighting your elder brother, who is the current party leader. Dr. Oburu Odinga did not simply assume a position; he carries a responsibility, and Baba entrusted me, in good faith, to work with him,” the statement read.
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