A deeply emotional scene unfolded at Parliament on Friday morning as Maurice Ogeta, the longtime bodyguard of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, broke down in tears during the public viewing of his body.
Dressed in a dark blue suit and wearing sunglasses, Ogeta appeared visibly shaken as he entered the hall, supported by Narok Senator Ledama Olekina. In a moment that transcended political boundaries, he embraced President William Ruto before taking his seat, his trembling lips and unsteady steps reflecting the heavy toll of grief.
Once seated, Ogeta could not hold back his tears. As he wept quietly, Olekina remained by his side, offering comfort as mourners watched in respectful silence. The sight of Ogeta a man known for his calm and composed demeanor breaking down captured the nation’s sorrow and the personal pain of losing a man he had served for decades.
Ogeta’s loyalty to Raila Odinga has been unwavering. In 2023, he was abducted by unknown men believed to be police officers during a tense political period. He disappeared for several days and was later found blindfolded and traumatized, yet returned to his duty beside Raila soon after.
His career spans over two decades, marked by extensive security training across the world. He underwent professional instruction in Afghanistan and France, with additional advanced training under Israel’s Special Forces and Russian elite units mastering intelligence gathering, counter-surveillance, and tactical response.
In Raila’s final days in India, Ogeta was among the few who remained close to him, a silent guardian during his last chapter.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India. He will be laid to rest on October 19 at his rural home in Bondo.
