Nairobi, February 19- Businessman Oketch Salah has strongly responded to Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, rejecting her claims that he has no role in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and disputing suggestions that he has no close ties with the Odinga family.
“It is unfortunate that you chose to go before a major media house and make statements that are not accurate,” Salah said, adding, “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.”
Salah also defended his political involvement, saying, “For the record, I am the one who convinced Baba to have you join us in India… I am also the one who arranged your business class ticket on Emirates.” He further noted that his work with ODM was “not driven by personal interest; it was done at Baba’s request.”
Ruth Odinga, however, maintained that Salah has limited interaction with the family, saying, “I really don’t know him that well, but I am surprised he is one of the people who speaks and says that he knows me. In my whole life, I have met Salah three times.” She urged him to respect the family’s privacy: “If he were my brother’s friend or adopted son, as he claims, I would like to ask him to please give us space as a family to be a family.”
Salah concluded, emphasizing his personal connection to the late Odinga, stating, “Finally, I say this with a heavy heart: I am the one who spent most of Baba’s final moments with him. Those moments were real, painful and deeply personal. I will not allow that truth to be erased or turned into political theatre.”
