Businessman and political mobiliser Oketch Salah has reaffirmed his support for President William Ruto, just a day after returning to the country from an overseas business tour.
Salah, who rose into the political spotlight following the death of former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Amolo Odinga, says he is ready to revive his grassroots mobilisation programmes in support of President Ruto’s bid for a second term.
He argues that the President remains difficult to beat in the 2027 General Election, citing what he described as a weak and disorganised opposition lacking a compelling agenda capable of appealing to the masses.
“I am still supporting President William Ruto, who will for sure be back for his second term. This is because the opposition has no agenda and they lack something that can appeal to the masses,” Salah said.
Salah disclosed that he had deliberately slowed down his political activities after disagreements with some senior ODM members.
However, he said his return marks the beginning of a renewed political engagement, with his focus now shifting towards building grassroots support for President Ruto’s re-election.
The businessman also stood by remarks he made last year regarding the late Raila Odinga’s alleged position on President Ruto’s re-election.
“I can confirm again that Raila was impressed with the work President William Ruto was doing,” Salah said, insisting that he had evidence of the former ODM leader’s resolve.
According to Salah, Raila had on several occasions described President Ruto as a gentleman who had accomplished significant work within a relatively short period.
Salah Backs Oburu, Warns ODM Against Violence
On the current state of affairs in ODM, Salah said he still has confidence in Acting Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga, whom he credited with helping keep the party together following Raila’s death.
“Dr Oburu has tried in steadying the party and, were it not for his wisdom, it would completely be dead as of now,” he said.
However, Salah warned that incidents of violence and alleged goonism in some ODM strongholds risk damaging the party’s public image and weakening its political appeal.
He said he was particularly unhappy with how the party handled the recent violence witnessed in Homa Bay, calling for a more decisive approach to political intolerance and internal disagreements.
Salah urged ODM to return to the grassroots, rebuild its structures and clearly communicate its political agenda to Kenyans.
He further called on the party to define its position within the broad-based government arrangement, arguing that political parties must give their supporters a clear sense of direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
With his return to active politics, Salah appears poised to once again play a role in grassroots mobilisation, this time firmly positioning himself behind President Ruto’s re-election campaign.
