Oketch Salah speaks on Raila death, once again

Even in death, his legacy continues to stir debate about the direction of his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and the alliances that may define the 2027 elections.

Among those now speaking openly about Raila’s final political thinking is Mr Salah, his long-time associate.

Though many Kenyans only noticed him in the closing years of Raila’s life, Mr Salah insists their relationship goes back more than two decades to the early days of ODM politics.

In an interview, Mr Salah recounts how he met Raila during the formative years of ODM, their personal friendship, and the final moments they shared before the veteran opposition leader’s death.

He also addresses the controversies surrounding Raila’s passing, his own role in mobilising ODM activities, and the criticism he has faced from senior party leaders.

Perhaps most controversially, Mr Salah argues that ODM should support President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election — claiming that this was in line with what Raila had privately indicated before his death.

He also speaks about his business ventures, including a proposed Sh1 billion gold project in western Kenya, his relationship with the President, and his interactions with other African leaders.

Also Read: Oketch Salah - The mystery Raila ‘orphan’ battling rejection as ODM now disowns him

Below are excerpts from the interview.

Q: We only saw you with Raila Odinga in his sunset days. When and how did you actually meet him?

A: I was not a Johnny-come-lately in Baba’s circle. Baba was my longtime friend. I participated in his party’s affairs from its inception in 2005 until he made his second stab at the presidency in 2007.

That friendship flourished over the years until the time he rested. Some people only noticed my presence around him in recent years.

In Raila’s sunset days, how come you became so close?

I didn’t choose to be with him — it was Baba who asked me to travel with him. There is no way I could have forced myself to be with a person of that stature.

He was a very close friend and a confidant. I say this with a heavy heart: I spent most of Baba’s final moments with him. Those moments were real, painful and deeply personal.

On the trip to India, how did you find yourself as part of the delegation?

Baba personally instructed me to join him shortly before he left for India. When he asked me to accompany him, I honoured the request and travelled as part of the delegation.

Some have suggested that Mama Ida should have been there. Might she have underestimated Baba’s condition?

I believe that is a question best directed to Mama Ida herself.

Also Read: Oketch Salah - From accompanying Raila to trips to hobnobbing with presidents

What don’t we know about Raila’s death?

Baba had been unwell for some months before the final trip to India. However, despite his illness, many of us still believed he would recover.

What were his last wishes?

I was not present when he took his last breath, but politically, he had made it clear that he would support President Ruto in the 2027 election. Baba remained jovial and full of life even as he battled illness. Those around him never imagined that he would leave us so soon.

How is your relationship now with Ida, Winnie, Junior and Oburu?

I maintain a cordial and respectful relationship with all of them.

Being of Cushitic extraction, how did you acquire the name Oketch used by the River-Lake Nilotes?

Oketch is an alias. I was given the name at birth in Migori in keeping with Luo customs. My real name is Ahmed Salah.

Raila’s sister Ruth Odinga accuses you of riding on his name to gain the limelight. What is the issue between you?

I came to know Ruth through Baba. The truth is that many people in Kenya have built their political identity around Baba’s legacy — including herself.

You’ve been traversing the country doing charity work. Are you running for office next year?

I am not running for any office. At the moment, I am focused on helping Dr Oburu Oginga steer ODM in line with Baba’s wishes, while also supporting President Ruto’s re-election in 2027. I believe he will succeed, Inshallah.

Are you a member of the ODM Party?

As I stated earlier, I joined ODM way back in 2005 at its inception, and I have remained true to its course.

The founding members of ODM and even Baba’s inner circle — including his brother Oburu Oginga — know that I have been their close associate for many years.

Whatever I have done for ODM in the past was not driven by personal interest. It was done at Baba’s request.

Baba spent more than 20 years building ODM into a national party. It belongs to the people of Kenya from every part of this country.

Everything I have been doing is simply meant to popularise and strengthen ODM. I believe deeply in this party, its history and what it stands for.

ODM needs to be re-energised and refreshed. A living movement must keep moving, keep inspiring and keep reaching the people, especially at the grassroots.

Also Read: The war within - Winnie Odinga outbursts expose silent Raila-Oburu family rivalry

Are you receiving funds to run ODM affairs from the government or any other sponsors?

The resources I have been using are my own. I have not asked ODM or any other person for money to fund these programmes.

These are my personal contributions to a party I love and respect in honour of Baba Raila Odinga.

I promised Baba that I would stand with ODM. I made that promise when we were in India, and it has stayed with me.

I stand with ODM because of loyalty and obligation to Baba’s legacy. This party is part of his life’s work and by extension, part of my own duty to continue supporting it, protecting it and strengthening it.

Critics, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, say Raila’s death was not natural. As a person who was with him during his last moments, what do you make of that?

It is quite absurd and insensitive for somebody of James Orengo’s calibre to speak about this topic five months later.

From the best of my knowledge and the statement by the medics who were with Baba, I can say he died a natural death. May his soul continue resting in peace.

Let us play clean politics and not try to incite people using a matter of this magnitude.

We are still mourning, and it is quite insensitive, even to the family, to have such talk.

Some accuse you of holding a lot of information. How true is this?

I don’t know the kind of information they are talking about.

What I hold is what Baba told me — that we remain true to the course, remain firm in ODM and nurture the broad-based arrangement.

Also Read: Inside the vicious fight to succeed Raila Odinga in Luo Nyanza

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed accuses you of using President Ruto’s photos on ODM T-shirts. In what capacity are you holding ODM meetings, yet you’re neither a party official nor an elected leader?

I have been an ardent supporter of this party since its inception. As a member of the party, I have the right to advance its agenda and support its course whenever I can.

I put those portraits because Baba left us in the broad-based government led by President William Ruto, with whom we are talking, with a view to forming a 2027 coalition.

So it’s not strange to have his portrait on our ODM merchandise.

Baba was clear to me that he intended to endorse President Ruto’s second term. I am duty-bound to speak honestly about what he told me — without fear, distortion or seeking permission from anyone.

You recently spoke of a plan to put up a Sh1 billion gold project in Kakamega. When is the project set to kick off?

The plans are ongoing, and we are working on the final stages before the project is launched.

It is a major investment that will benefit the region economically by creating jobs and boosting the mining sector.

You said President Ruto would launch it in Kakamega. Is this an assurance he has already made to you?

The President has spoken about this publicly, and I don’t want to go into discussions about how the State wants to implement its programmes.

Where else do you mine gold?

We have mining activities in several parts of the country, including West Pokot and Migori.

Kenya has enormous mineral potential that has not been fully exploited, and we believe responsible investment can unlock opportunities for communities.

Is it Raila who introduced you to President Ruto, or how did you suddenly become so close with the Head of State?

I knew President William Ruto way back in 2005 at the inception of ODM Party, which he was a founding member.

Since then, the relationship between Baba and the President has been mutual.

Also Read: Oburu forms inner circle to fend off ODM rival faction

You have been seen with various Heads of State across Africa. Are your meetings planned by the Kenyan government, or how do you access them?

I am a businessman, and I meet those Heads of State in my own capacity.

I have many friends across the continent and my meetings with them should not raise any eyebrows.

What’s your message to Kenyans?

Let us remain united, preach unity and defend our country.

This is the only country we have and if we destroy it because of bad politics, we will have nowhere else to go.

Even as we play politics, let us always remember that unity is our strength.

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