Speaking at a public function in Rarieda Constituency on Thursday, December 25, Salah alleged that Raila had privately expressed concern about Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, warning that his conduct suggested he could be working against the party’s interests.
Salah, who describes himself as Raila’s adopted son, said the former prime minister confided in him during his final days.
According to Salah, Raila told him that Sifuna’s political behaviour required close observation, as it appeared inconsistent with ODM’s values and long-term goals.
He claimed recent developments within the party have begun to validate those concerns.
“One thing Raila once told me, which I am now seeing clearly, was about Sifuna,” Salah said.
“He told me to leave him alone and said he was watching him closely because he could be someone’s mole. What is happening now is exactly what Raila warned me about.”
Salah said Raila deliberately avoided confronting the senator directly, choosing instead to let time and political consequences judge his actions.
He argued that true leadership involved patience and restraint, qualities Raila consistently demonstrated even when faced with internal dissent.
The remarks come amid heightened debate within ODM over its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.
Sifuna has publicly stated in the past that he would consider quitting ODM if the party formally aligned itself with President Ruto, a position Salah described as hostile and dismissive.
He further criticised Sifuna for issuing what he termed as ultimatums to ODM leadership, particularly party chairperson Oburu Odinga. Salah questioned whether the senator would have addressed Raila Odinga in a similar tone when he was alive.
“Would Sifuna have spoken to Raila the way he is speaking to Oburu today?” Salah posed. “That level of disrespect would never have been tolerated.”
Salah insisted that loyal ODM members would defend the party’s leadership structures and legacy, warning that internal arrogance and public confrontations could weaken the party’s unity at a critical time.
ODM has recently been rocked by internal disagreements, with some leaders accusing unnamed individuals of attempting to “auction” the party to President Ruto ahead of the 2027 general election.
Sifuna has been vocal in raising such concerns, insisting that Raila did not leave ODM in government and that the party was expected to field its own presidential candidate.
However, other senior party figures have challenged that interpretation. Siaya Governor James Orengo has publicly distanced himself from any plan to back President Ruto’s re-election, claiming there is a calculated effort to dilute ODM’s identity.
Orengo warned that the party risks losing its ideological foundation if internal divisions are not addressed.
On his part, Oburu Odinga has urged ODM members to avoid issuing conflicting public statements, saying the party had already agreed on a common direction.
He appealed for discipline and unity, cautioning that public disagreements could damage ODM’s credibility.
In a surprising assertion, Salah concluded by claiming that Raila had personally told him that ODM should support President Ruto’s re-election, a statement that is likely to further inflame debate within the party.
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