Businessman and political activist Oketch Salah has issued a defiant and highly controversial statement confirming that he has used his own personal money to fund recent political activities tied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), setting off renewed turbulence within the opposition party as national leaders publicly distance themselves from his actions.
The disclosure, made on 7 February 2026, comes amid intensifying internal disputes over who speaks for ODM and how grassroots mobilization should be conducted.
Salah indicated through a letter that he sent to ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga that he had not financed any of his activities through party funds while he rejected all demands that asked him to use the party’s financial resources. “The resources I have been using are my own, personal resources,” Salah stated, insisting his contributions were aimed at strengthening and popularizing ODM and not for personal gain.
Salah’s statement followed an official clarification from ODM leadership, which established that his recent public appearances at important events that included party supporters were conducted in his personal capacity without any official party connection. ODM required that all official activities should pass through the party secretariat, while they needed approval from leadership under Party Leader Dr. Oburu Odinga.
The unfolding rift emerged after Salah’s rapid rise to national attention, particularly following his presence at major political gatherings and claims about his close association with the late Raila Odinga, a claim that has been publicly contested by members of the Odinga family. His increased public visibility has created major conflicts about his actual status as a member of the party, his power to control party matters, and his role in party organization activities.
Salah showed his commitment to the ODM party through personal declarations that linked his party dedication to a promise he made to Raila Odinga, while his work for the party advanced because of his “love, loyalty, and obligation” to its fundamental principles. “I remain ODM. I believe in ODM. And I will continue to stand with ODM out of love for the party and out of respect for Baba,” he wrote, using Raila’s affectionate moniker.
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