Oketch Salah Fires Back at Ruth Odinga After Claiming She Does Not Know Him

Businessman Oketch Salah has strongly responded to Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga after she claimed she barely knew him and had only met him three times.

In his rebuttal, Salah maintained that he has never forced himself into Ruth’s life and insisted that their interaction was minimal and respectful. 

However, he emphasized that his close relationship was with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, not with other members of the Odinga family.

Salah revealed that he played a role in persuading Raila to allow Ruth Odinga to travel to India and that he personally facilitated her business class ticket on Emirates. 

According to him, his involvement was purely at Raila’s request and in good faith.

He further explained that he left India earlier than planned after Raila asked him to return to Kenya to finalize arrangements for his son’s wedding.

Salah disclosed that he had been scheduled to meet Raila in Dubai after his return from Kerala, but the meeting never took place due to Raila’s sudden passing.

In his remarks, Salah urged Ruth to focus on party unity and avoid public disagreements with ODM leadership. 

He specifically cautioned her against undermining Oburu Oginga, whom he described as carrying responsibilities entrusted to him by Raila before his death.

He warned that continued internal wrangles could have negative political consequences in the future.

Ruth Odinga, in a recent interview, maintained her position, stating that Salah has no official role within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and should not speak on behalf of the party. 

She reiterated that her interactions with him were limited and dismissed suggestions that he had influence in party matters.

The dispute follows comments by Raila’s longtime aide Dennis Onyango, who confirmed that Salah was indeed a friend of Raila and had been present on his last day in Kenya before departing for India. 

Onyango added that individuals who worked closely with Raila were aware of Salah’s presence around the former Prime Minister during that period.

The exchange has sparked mixed reactions online, with some calling for calm and unity within ODM ranks, while others view the public disagreement as a reflection of deeper succession tensions within the party.