ODM doesn’t belong to one family: Oketch Salah issues defiant ultimatum to Odinga clan
By Charles Ouma, February 19, 2026Raila Odinga’s adopted son, Oketch Salah, has escalated his fallout with the Odinga family, issuing a defiant ultimatum to the family over the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
The businessman who has been on a political blitz around the country faced off with the Odinga clan in a terse statement on Thursday, February 19, 2026, seeking to know if ownership of ODM has changed.
In a fiery response to Ruth Odinga’s interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Salah asserted that the party does not belong to one family.
He made it clear that all he has done for ODM was not motivated by selfish interests, but was done with the express request and permission of the departed leader.
“I come from a well-established business family. I am self-sufficient, and you know this. Whatever I have done for ODM was not driven by personal interest; it was done at Baba’s request. ODM does not belong to you, or to me, or to any one family,” he stated.
Stepping away from the party
The businessman maintained that ODM is a national party, but he is willing to step away if it is confirmed that the party belongs to one family.
“If it does, then let that be stated openly, and I will step away without hesitation. 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,” he added.
Salah also accused the Kisumu Woman Representative of fighting her elder brother, Oburu Odinga, who rose to the position of party leader.
“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. If you allow your elder brother to be put on the chopping board today, do not be surprised if tomorrow it is your turn,” the businessman added.
Ruth reached out -Salah confirms their meetings
The statement marked a significant escalation of the matter, with Ruth becoming the latest member of the Odinga family to state that she barely knows the businessman.
According to her, she has only met Salah on three occasions.
Salah, in his statement, clarified that all the meetings he has had with the Kisumu Legislator were at her request.
“The truth is simple: the only times you and I have ever spoken or met are the times you reached out to me,” Salah said.