Kasmuel reveals why Salah Oketch could offer more insights on Raila
By Luke Oluoch, October 25, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Youth Leader Kasmuel Mc Oure has named Raila Odinga’s confidant, Salah Oketch, among the people who understood the late Raila Odinga, beyond his immediate family members.
Speaking to the Iko Nini Podcast on Saturday, October, Kasmuel revealed that the close friend who accompanied the former Prime Minister to India could notice when he was not in his best shape.
Oketch around Raila
“Salah Oketch or Winnie Odinga are the people whom I think people need to speak to concerning Baba. Or if you can find time with Mheshimiwa Winnie or just the Odingas when the mourning time ends,” he said.
“He is a person who knew Baba for longer and noticed something about Baba and said to him, ‘ Baba, we need to go for a check up,” he added.
He is a great friend of Baba and one of the few people who could help you find Baba. Baba was so happy around Salah, and we don’t recognise the lease of life he gave Jakom. He is a great guy,” he added.
Oketch became a conspicuous figure around Raila Odinga moments before his death. He posted pictures of the late former Prime Minister resting and recuperating during his medical trip to India, which proved to be his last.
In a rare public remarks, Oketch recently opened up on Raila’s plan for the ODM Party before he breathed his last.
Speaking on Friday, October 24, 2025, Oketch revealed that Raila had confided in him his intention to strengthen the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as part of a broader plan to endorse President William Ruto for re-election in 2027.
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.
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.