Oketch Salah, Raila’s Confidant Now Swimming in Power Doesn’t Go Without Controversies

In the months following former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s death, a name once unknown beyond Migori town has catapulted into Kenya’s political stratosphere with a velocity that has left even veteran political operatives scratching their heads.

Oketch Salah, the man who claims to have spent Raila’s final days at his bedside in India, now jets around in helicopters, holds court with presidents, and positions himself as the keeper of the fallen leader’s political legacy.

But his meteoric rise from obscurity to power has sparked as much controversy as it has curiosity, with his latest social media post igniting a fierce backlash that has reopened raw wounds barely six weeks after Raila’s burial.

The transformation is nothing short of spectacular.

On December 6, mourners at the funeral of Beryl Achieng’ Odinga, Raila’s sister, watched as a helicopter descended on Bondo.

Out stepped Salah, immaculately dressed, moving through the crowd with the practiced ease of someone accustomed to VIP treatment. Days later, he was photographed beside Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, discussing what he termed strategic business opportunities in mining, energy and agriculture.

Yet even as Salah’s social media accounts, mysteriously activated only in late September 2025 just weeks before Raila’s death, document a life of high-level meetings and international travel, questions about who he really is continue to multiply.

His most sensational claim, that Raila wanted ODM to endorse President William Ruto in 2027, has split the Orange party down the middle and thrust him into the eye of a political storm.

The Wedding Video That Broke The Internet

On November 29, Salah posted what he likely thought would be a harmless celebration of family ties.

The video showed him walking through manicured gardens in traditional attire alongside Dr Oburu Odinga at the wedding of Salah’s cousin, the son of National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji.

The lighthearted clip quickly went viral, racking up more than 600,000 views. But the reception was far from celebratory.

Instead, it unleashed a torrent of anger, grief and conspiracy theories that have placed both Salah and Oburu under intense scrutiny.

The timing proved catastrophic.

The wedding took place just six weeks after Raila’s sudden death from cardiac arrest in India on October 15.

For many still traumatised by the chaotic funeral events that claimed at least five lives during stampedes, the sight of Oburu attending lavish celebrations felt like a betrayal of the “Baba” legacy.

“You were never close to Raila the way you are to Oburu. I can now fill the dotted lines,” one commenter wrote, reflecting sentiments shared by hundreds of former allies and Raila supporters who questioned the optics of such revelry while the nation mourned.

Critics accused members of the Odinga family of insensitivity, with some demanding that Oburu withdraw temporarily from public engagements to focus on mourning.

The backlash exposed deep grief and simmering tensions within ODM circles, with detractors accusing Salah of exploiting his closeness to Oburu at a vulnerable moment for the Odinga family.

Conspiracy Theories Explode

More disturbing than questions of taste, however, was the explosion of conspiracy theories that the video reignited.

Social media users seized on the presence of Haji, the NIS boss, and began drawing sinister connections between his role in state security, his family ties to Salah, and Raila’s unexpected death.

“NIS is working for Ruto. Raila’s doctor and Ruto were all present at the NIS boss’ son’s wedding. And now he is handling Oburu,” one user claimed in a widely shared comment that captured the paranoia now gripping sections of ODM’s base.

Others went further, suggesting that the wedding symbolised deeper political intrigues tied to President Ruto’s administration. Commenters speculated about reported familial links between Haji and Raila’s personal doctor, framing the gathering as evidence of a coordinated plot. One theory suggested the event was a case of “keeping enemies close.”

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There is no evidence to support these allegations, which remain purely speculative.

However, they have gained significant traction online, reviving earlier rumours that Raila’s death may not have been natural.

The conspiracy theories, while baseless, reflect the depth of suspicion and trauma still gripping Raila’s supporters barely two months after his passing.

For Salah, the video has become emblematic of his controversial position.

To critics, it confirms their worst fears: that he is a political opportunist who arrived at a convenient moment and now leverages his proximity to the Odinga family for access and influence. The fact that the wedding involved the son of Kenya’s spy chief only deepened suspicions about his true allegiances.

The Ruth Odinga Bombshell

The wedding controversy is just the latest in a series of questions surrounding Salah’s authenticity.

Perhaps nothing captures the mystery better than the blunt assessment from Ruth Odinga, Raila’s sister and Kisumu Woman Representative.

When asked about the man now appearing everywhere with ODM leaders, her response was devastating in its simplicity.

“I don’t know him. When I went to India to see Raila, he returned to Kenya. I don’t know why. Now he is all over with Dr Oburu Oginga. I have been asked who he is and I can’t explain too. You need to find out who he is.”

The admission is startling.

Here is a man claiming to be Raila’s adopted son, yet a key member of the Odinga family openly admits she cannot place him.

It is a disconnect that has fueled speculation about the true nature and timing of Salah’s relationship with the former Prime Minister.

Oketch Salah and Raila Odinga.

Even more intriguing is Ruth’s observation about Salah’s movements. Why would someone supposedly devoted to caring for Raila leave India and return to Kenya at a critical moment when family members were rushing to be at the political icon’s bedside? The question remains unanswered, adding to the fog of mystery surrounding his role in Raila’s final days.

The 2027 Bombshell

If Ruth’s comments raised eyebrows, Salah’s revelations about Raila’s supposed political plans have set tongues wagging across the country. Speaking at an ODM meeting in Bondo just days after Raila’s burial, Salah dropped what many consider a political bombshell.

“Baba wanted to back Ruto. I am telling you today. He said that he wanted ODM to be strong so that when we endorse Ruto, it might be impactful,” Salah declared, claiming these were Raila’s words to him during their time in India.

The claim has divided Kenyans and ODM faithful alike.

On social media, reactions ranged from outrage to skepticism. One Kenyan noted sharply that Raila had never endorsed a sitting president in his entire political career.

Others questioned why such a momentous political decision would be shared with Salah rather than senior party officials or family members.

Critics point out the convenient timing of the revelation.

With President Ruto actively courting ODM and several party bigwigs already ensconced in his Cabinet, Salah’s version of Raila’s final wishes neatly aligns with the current political dispensation. Skeptics wonder whether he is genuinely conveying Raila’s plans or positioning himself as a useful bridge between the Odinga political dynasty and State House.

The Migori Mystery Man

Salah’s origins are as murky as his sudden rise.

He grew up in Migori as the son of Abdi Salah, a wealthy businessman who owned Salah Bakery and reportedly constructed the town’s first storey building in the 1970s.

A former schoolmate at Migori Boys remembers him from the 1990s but admits Salah left school under unclear circumstances.

For over 40 years, Oketch Salah lived in relative obscurity. He built no political following, established no visible business empire, and maintained no public profile. Then, as Raila’s health declined and the veteran politician spent extended periods seeking treatment in Dubai and India, Salah emerged from the shadows.

Oketch Salah arrives in Bondo in a chopper for the funeral of Beryl Achieng’ Odinga, Raila’s sister.

Family sources say he arranged flights, coordinated medical care, and spent nights at Raila’s hospital bedside. It was an act of loyalty that, according to Dr Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother and now ODM’s acting party leader, earned him a special place in the family.

“Oketch Salah was a good friend and a son of Raila. He was taking care of Raila until the day he breathed his last. Now that Raila is gone, I have inherited him as my son,” Oburu declared at Salah’s son’s wedding on October 25, just ten days after Raila’s death.

The lavish ceremony at Serena Hotel, attended by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and other ODM heavyweights, marked Salah’s formal introduction to Kenya’s political elite. It was at this event that Oburu publicly anointed him, cementing his position within the Odinga inner circle or at least one version of it.

Questions Without Answers

Yet the contradictions persist.

Salah has been variously described as Raila’s personal doctor, though no medical qualifications can be found in Kenya’s official registers.

Some reports even credited him with performing brain surgery on hippos and heart operations on hyenas, claims that strain credulity.

What is clear is that Salah has moved with startling speed to position himself at the intersection of Kenya’s shifting political alliances.

His December 2 appearance at State House, where he stood alongside President Ruto and Dr Oburu during celebrations for broad-based government legislators, was particularly symbolic. Of all ODM officials, only he and Oburu attended.

Then came the Zimbabwe trip. On December 9, Salah posted photos with President Mnangagwa, framing the visit as a business mission focused on mining and energy.

For a private Kenyan citizen with no formal government position, such access to a foreign head of state raised obvious questions about the networks and interests at play.

His social media presence has become a carefully curated showcase of power and access.

Photos of him dancing with Raila and Mama Ida Odinga.

Images from State House and foreign capitals. Posts about gold mining ventures in Nyatike, a sector notorious for requiring political connections and government goodwill. And now, videos from high-profile weddings that ignite national controversy.

The Kasmuel Defense

Not everyone views Salah with suspicion. ODM Youth Leader Kasmuel McOure has emerged as one of his most vocal defenders, dismissing criticism as propaganda from those who spent years attacking Raila himself.

“Those who truly understood the Chief of the Golden Heart, Raila Amolo Odinga, know the depth of his friendship with Salah,” McOure wrote in a lengthy defense, insisting that attempts to tarnish Salah’s name were part of a coordinated campaign to distort history.

McOure went further, suggesting that Salah was among the few people who truly understood Raila, noting that he was perceptive enough to notice when the former Prime Minister’s health was declining and insist he seek medical attention.

The Gold Rush

Beyond politics, Salah appears to be rapidly expanding into business, particularly gold mining in Nyatike.

The timing is noteworthy.

Gold mining in Kenya requires navigating complex regulatory frameworks, securing land access, and establishing relationships with both local communities and government officials. Salah’s newfound political connections could prove invaluable in such an environment.

Critics see an opportunist leveraging proximity to power for commercial gain. Supporters see a loyal friend building on relationships forged through genuine care for a political giant in his final days.

What State House Won’t Say

Significantly, neither government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura nor State House spokesman Hussein Mohamed would comment on who Salah is or whether he holds any official government position. The silence from State House is deafening, particularly given Salah’s multiple documented visits and meetings with President Ruto.

Salah himself has remained largely silent in the face of mounting questions. Requests for comment about his State House visits and his trip to Zimbabwe have gone unanswered. He has not addressed the firestorm over the wedding video or the conspiracy theories it spawned.

A Party In Crisis

The Salah saga has emerged at perhaps the worst possible time for ODM.

With Jamhuri Day celebrations, the party remains fragile and emotionally charged, still reeling from the loss of its founding father and struggling to define its identity in a post-Raila landscape.

The wedding video controversy has underscored just how raw emotions remain and how easily they can be manipulated.

Calls have emerged for Oburu to withdraw temporarily from public engagements, while others question whether he has the political acumen to navigate the treacherous waters ahead.

For many Raila supporters, the sight of ODM leaders celebrating lavishly while the nation mourns has become a symbol of everything they fear: that the party’s values are being compromised, that new actors with questionable loyalties are filling the vacuum left by Raila’s death, and that the “Baba” legacy is being hijacked before their eyes.

A Man of Mystery

As Kenya’s political landscape continues to shift in the wake of Raila’s death, Oketch Salah stands as one of its most intriguing and polarising figures.

To some, he is a devoted friend who earned his place through service and sacrifice during Raila’s darkest hours. To others, he is an opportunist who appeared at a convenient moment and now leverages that timing for political and commercial advantage.

What is undeniable is the speed and scope of his transformation. From a man who lived 40 years in obscurity, he has become a fixture at presidential meetings, a commentator on Raila’s final wishes, and a self-styled bridge between the Odinga political dynasty and President Ruto’s administration.

His social media accounts, activated mere weeks before Raila’s death, now serve as a daily reminder of his elevated status. Choppers.

Presidential palaces. Foreign capitals. High-level business discussions. Weddings that break the internet and ignite conspiracy theories. It is a lifestyle light years removed from the quiet businessman from Migori who few Kenyans had ever heard of until Raila’s final chapter.

Whether Salah is genuinely honoring Raila’s legacy or opportunistically rewriting it to suit contemporary political alignments remains one of the most contentious questions in Kenyan politics today.

The wedding video controversy has only deepened suspicions, reopening wounds and reviving conspiracy theories that threaten to consume both him and those who have embraced him.

What is certain is that his story is far from over, and as long as he continues to position himself at the center of power while grief and suspicion swirl around him, the controversies will keep coming.

For now, Oketch Salah remains what he has been since he emerged from the shadows: Kenya’s most discussed but least understood political figure, a man who came from nowhere and landed at the very center of power, trailing questions, conspiracies and controversies in his wake. And with each new social media post, each new public appearance, he seems only to deepen the mystery rather than resolve it.