Oketch Salah: From unknown to omnipresent - Just who is this 'Raila's adopted son'?

No one quite seemed to understand this mystery man. Unlike most of Raila's better-known acolytes, many of them renowned politicians and bona fide powerbrokers, this chumpy character was a hitherto unknown figure in the Kenyan political landscape, and no one seemed to quite understand how he suddenly warmed up to the most consequential politician of our lifetime.

In videos shared on his official X account, which was created just a month before Raila's death, Oketch Salah was seen cosying up to 'Baba' in multiple locations, dancing with him, chatting him up, posing for selfies, and generally imposing his bulky presence on Raila.

With a full head of curly hair and a boisterous demeanour, Salah was an imposing figure; tall yet rotund, a penchant for toothy grins, always pumped up and in the moment and tactically tight-lipped as if measuring the weight of his every utterance.

Around Salah, Raila Odinga appeared playfully at ease. Even in those last moments, as his energy trickled away and his spirit dissipated, Raila appeared to be charmed by the enchanting Oketch Salah magic, soaking himself in the company of his newfound buddy, and letting him take charge of his crucially important last days.

But everything was happening too fast. This character, who had suddenly been affixed into the Raila Odinga blockbuster plot, did not have an official introduction, appeared rather shadowy, had no political background and was certainly not a relative of Agwambo.

Who is this man? The nation wondered.

Even before the Dubai and the final Indian medical sojourn, Raila Odinga had himself introduced Salah to the world at a public rally attended by thousands.

There, he lavished praises on his politically begotten son, using his charm and massive appeal to win over the crowd to this strange new fellow.

And it worked. Or did it?

While accepting the significant coronation, with thousands watching in anxious glee, Salah humbly took to the microphone in a servile gesture towards Raila, muttered several sentences in Dholuo, and, in that very moment, introduced himself to a people who had just minutes before been staring at him in bewilderment.

And to show political solidarity to a people in mourning, Salah donated a hefty amount, quickly aligning himself with the cash-obsessed Kenyan political ideology.

“I greet you all, receive my condolences. I come from Migori… when Baba and I heard this news, we were greatly disturbed, and we say sorry to all of you. I have brought to you something from Migori…Ksh.1 million..." he told the crowd.

Oketch Salah's notoriety would be exemplified by the chaotic weeks before and after Raila's death, as he positioned himself left, right and centre, appearing in all news clippings and updating his X followers with the wretched moments which led to the ultimate fall of the greatest opposition politician of all time.

All of a sudden, a man who Kenyans had only known about for a mere two weeks was now calling the shots in major political podiums; He was a crucial instrument in the Raila funeral planning, he would be spotted by Mama Ida's side innumerable times, he was making critical statements regarding Baba's demise and he was cozying up with the country's biggest boys from State House.

As mourners trooped to Kang'o ka Jaramogi to pay their last respects, Salah was a prominent - even unavoidable - figure, straddling tall, dressed in ostentatious outfits, smiling bemusingly and oozing the flow of authority, power and endowment.

Everywhere he appeared, he seemed to be eerily out of place. His face wasn't yet familiar. His garments were too slouchy. His expressions were rather bizarre, and his purpose too vague. Still, he stood tall, like a totem pole in the Alaskan countryside.

To those who dared question his puzzling status, he was quick to brand himself 'Raila's Son', leaving the masses even more confused.

Salah had moved from unknown to omnipresent in a matter of weeks. Must be a record of some sort.

Understandably, not everyone was thrilled by this new player's crafty sneakiness.

As cracks in ODM started showing, Oketch Salah went public with his thoughts on the impending schism, claiming to have had the last word from Raila Odinga and further rocking a boat that was already battling too many storms.

He started making authoritative declarations, claiming to have been the deathbed musings of Baba.

While speaking at a function in Rarieda Constituency on Thursday, December 24, 2025, Oketch said that during Raila’s final days, the ODM leader told him he was closely monitoring Sifuna, as his political moves appeared to suggest he was working for forces on the opposite side of the political divide.

“One thing that Raila once told me that I have now seen happening is about Sifuna. He once told me to forget about Sifuna, saying he was closely observing him and that he might be someone’s mole, and it has now begun to show. Sifuna has begun to show that indeed he was being used by someone, just like Raila told me,” he said.

As the new year kicked off, many in the ODM brigade began marshalling their arsenal towards Salah, many questioning his authenticity, some repudiating his authority and even more rejecting his seemingly imposed status.

It was all too clear: Oketch Salah was starting to make people uncomfortable, and some were flat out refusing to allow the chicanery to flourish.

Aware of the discomfort he was causing, an unrepentant Salah wrote: "I was with Baba Raila Odinga from the time he first fell ill until his final moments on earth. That is a fact. I do not say this for sympathy, relevance or political mileage; I say it because it is the truth." 

He added, "During that period, Baba and I had extensive conversations—personal, political and strategic—many of which he chose to have with me privately. Out of respect for him and his family, I will not disclose those discussions. Silence should never be mistaken for fear or falsehood."

While rejecting claims of attempting to 'replace' Raila's family, or disrespect his widow, Salah maintained that he was a bona fide Odinga associate, and he was operating under the anointing of Baba himself. 

"What I will not accept is being turned into a convenient villain so others can fight internal battles or rewrite lived history. I did not force myself into anyone’s life. I was present because Baba allowed me to be present - consistently and knowingly," he stated.

Amid the battles and the fires he can't quite seem to effectively extinguish, Salah has continued to meet prominent personalities, especially from various Somali jurisdictions, inviting them to his home, holding lengthy consultations with them and acting like an appointed diplomat, busy representing Kenya on missions only he understands.

Within just the last month alone, he has met or held 'consultative' meetings with President Said Abdullahi Deni of Puntland, former President and current Presidential candidate of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, CS Wycliffe Oparanya and Benga star Prince Indah.

But on the home front, Raila's offspring seem to have a problem with their 'adopted brother'. Asked about him by Yvonne Okwara during a Citizen TV interview, Winnie Odinga simply said: “I have met him before, yes, but nobody really knows him."

When he tried to respond to Winnie's comments, her brother, Raila Junior, simply tweeted a one-word response, "nonsense". There is trouble for Salah both at home and away.

It does still appear that, truly, nobody really knows Oketch Salah. Even though they may entertain him, even though they may let him sit at the table and even though they may let him share the podium. One thing is for sure: Nobody really knows Oketch Salah.

Can the real Salah please stand up?