Maurice Ogeta: Uncelebrated bodyguard standing with Raila even in death

Raila Odinga's bodyguard Maurice Ogeta at parliament during the viewing of Former prime minister Raila Odinga body at Parliament buildings on 17th October 2025 [David Gichuru, Standard]

He cuts the figure of a no-nonsense bodyguard in the public eye, always donning dark spectacles. But beneath this look lies an uncelebrated hero. A man who stuck with the late ODM leader Raila Odinga through thick and thin.

Even in his last moments, Raila's aide Maurice Ogeta was the lone figure seen alongside Indian doctors struggling to save his life as he was taken out of an ambulance.

Raila's story is incomplete without this man, Ogeta has always been with him alongside the late George Oduor, who died early this year.

Over the years, Ogeta has become the familiar face often seen beside the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. A trusted aide who made sure that Raila was always okay.

On Thursday, pictures of him mourning his late boss moved Kenyans as they hailed him for his selfless service to Raila over the years.

In his tribute to Raila, Ogeta described his relationship with Raila as a near father-son relationship.

"From the opportunity you entrusted me as your personal aide for close to 18 years, I confess I know no other human being on the African continent came close to you as the first among equals on the quest for a freer and more equal continent, outside Mandela," said Ogeta.

As the bodyguard of the late veteran politician, Ogeta was used to risky situations at times, for example, during the intense political demos against the government of the day.

In 2023, at the height of anti-government protests led by the opposition, Ogeta was abducted by suspected police officers.

Raila Odinga and his bodyguard Maurice Ogeta.[PCS]

For more than 72 hours, he experienced hell after he was allegedly abducted by unknown people believed to be police officers.

Ogeta, who is described as ever-present in the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's list of most trusted aides, was arrested, harassed and held incommunicado.

Kenyans have described him as a shadow, a shield, and a friend to the former Prime Minister, who walked behind him in life and even in his death, where he was seen walking behind his coffin from the hospital.

Ogeta is also seen getting out of an ambulance that ferried the body of the former Prime Minister from the Devamatha Hospital in India.

Raila Odinga's bodyguard Maurice Ogeta overwhelmed by grief after the former Prime Minister's body was received at JKIA. [Courtesy]

Jared Pambo and Kennedy Ouma, Ogeta's close allies both at work and at home, describe him as a strict, forthright, and very cautious person.

They describe him as a man who is outgoing and who mingles easily and loves his family.

"He sponsors students in secondary schools, colleges, and universities," says Ouma.

Pambo describes Ogeta as a role model and disciplinarian who loves football.