- Oketch Salah, who identifies as a friend of the late Raila Odinga, issued a formal two-page statement addressed to President William Ruto
- Salah apologised for the alleged disrespect shown to the president during the first anniversary commemoration of Raila's passing in Bondo
- Salah also called on Ruto to declare October 15 a national public holiday in honour of the former prime minister and statesman
Nancy Odindo is a current affairs writer at Tuko.co.ke (joined in 2023). She has one year of experience in print and more than five years in digital media.
Oketch Salah, who describes himself as a close friend of the late Raila Amolo Odinga, has publicly apologised to President William Ruto over conduct he considered disrespectful at the first anniversary commemoration of Raila's death held in Bondo.
Source: Facebook
Salah, who claimed to be Raila's adopted son, released a formal two-page statement on Saturday, October 17, addressed directly to the president, expressing embarrassment over the manner in which the solemn event unfolded.
Salah criticises those who undermined Raila's vision
"As a friend of the late Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, I offer my sincere apology for the disrespect directed towards you during the commemoration of the first anniversary of his passing. Your Excellency, I was deeply embarrassed and ashamed," he said.
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In the statement, Salah took issue with individuals who, in his view, had undermined Raila's legacy yet were afforded prominent positions at the memorial, prompting them to speak with authority, despite the fallout.
He argued that no political disagreement justified using a commemorative occasion to humiliate the president.
"Those of us who knew and loved Baba have a duty to speak honestly, even when doing so is uncomfortable. His memory must be treated with care. His sacrifices should never become an instrument for personal ambition, division, or the settling of political scores," Salah said.
Salah thanks Ruto for standing with Raila
The businessman thanked Ruto for the friendship and support he had extended to Raila during his illness and at the time of his death, stating, "We saw your support. We appreciate it. We shall never forget it."
He framed his apology as a matter of principle rather than political alignment, stating that gratitude should transcend partisan lines.
He appealed to the president to declare October 15 a national public holiday in honour of Raila Odinga, arguing that such recognition would unite Kenyans across political, ethnic, and religious divides.
"I believe your support for this appeal would be a meaningful act of national leadership and an enduring tribute to a man whose life touched millions. Your Excellency, please accept my sincere apology and heartfelt gratitude," he said.
Source: Twitter
The statement came days after Edwin Sifuna, the Linda Mwananchi leader and former ODM secretary-general; Embakasi East MP Babu Owino; and Siaya governor James Orengo, along with other opposition leaders, addressed the gathering, where the crowd chanted anti-Ruto slogans.
Sifuna and his allies split from ODM following his dramatic ouster as Secretary-General after Raila's death.
The faction has since distanced itself from the broad-based government arrangement that Raila helped broker with Ruto, while holding rallies in which they have vowed to uphold Raila's legacy and accused the current ODM leadership of abandoning the party's founding principles.
Sifuna criticises ODM leaders
Speaking on October 17, Sifuna criticised the entire ODM leadership for failing to attend the Bondo event, with some leaders citing the guest list as the reason for their absence.
He pushed back against that justification, recalling that Mama Ida Odinga and Winnie Odinga had themselves described Raila as a forgiving man who would reconcile even with those who had wronged him deeply.
The legislator vowed to honour Raila annually at his Bondo home. The Nairobi senator also said he would take the presidential crown to Raila during the second anniversary of the former opposition icon.
Source: TUKO.co.ke