A close friend of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Oketch Salah, has revealed that he had confided in him during their time together in India that he intended to strengthen the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as part of a broader plan to endorse President William Ruto for re-election in 2027.

Speaking during an ODM meeting held at Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga’s home on Friday, October 24, 2025, Salah urged Nyanza region and ODM supporters to remain part of the broad-based government and support President Ruto’s bid for a second term. He emphasised that doing so would align with the political path Raila had envisioned before his passing.

Salah recounted that while accompanying Raila in India, the former prime minister spoke passionately about his goal to consolidate ODM’s strength and unity ahead of 2027.

Also watch: Ruto: ODM will either form the next government or be part of it.

 According to him, Raila believed that reinforcing the party’s national structure would make it easier to support Ruto’s leadership and ensure ODM remained influential in Kenya’s future political landscape.

“Baba alikuwa anataka kumsport Ruto; alitaka ODM iwe na nguvu ndio aendorse Ruto 2027,” Oketch said.

Oketch Salah further noted that Raila’s previous remarks warning party members against engaging in early 2027 presidential politics, remarks that have been used by leaders within the Orange party opposed to the broad-based government as Raila’s final instruction, were not casual statements but rather a strategic directive from the former prime minister.

According to Oketch, it was meant to organise ODM troops under one umbrella to make it easier to endorse Ruto in 2027.

Urging them to stick to a broad-based

Salah added that Raila’s political spirit and conviction were inclined toward fostering unity and national stability through his support for President Ruto.

He described Raila’s legacy as one centred on building bridges across political divides and ensuring the country remained cohesive beyond his lifetime.

Salah warned further that if ODM and the Luo community failed to follow Raila’s vision and maintain their place within the broad-based government, they risked long-term political isolation.

He called on the party’s members to honour Raila’s wishes by working closely with the current administration and positioning themselves strategically for the years ahead.

These talks of ODM leaders stating that Raila instructed the party to remain in a broad-based government have been opposed by political pundits such as Herman Manyora, who warned them to stop lying since the former prime minister never came out openly to endorse this move.