A deeply emotional scene unfolded at
Parliament on Friday morning as Maurice Ogeta, longtime bodyguard to the late
Raila Odinga, broke down during the viewing of the former Prime Minister’s
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, he embraced President William Ruto in a moment that transcended
political lines.
His lips were trembling and his steps
unsteady as he made his way to his seat.
Once seated, Ogeta could be seen
crying, wiping his tears, his grief echoing the sorrow felt across the nation.
Olekina remained by his side,
offering comfort as mourners looked on in silence.
Ogeta’s breakdown was a poignant
reminder of the personal bonds behind public service.
Having stood by Raila through years
of political struggle and personal triumphs, his reaction captured the depth of
loss felt by those closest to the ODM leader.
Behind the dark glasses and serious
expressions, Ogeta has carried a heavy emotional weight.
In Raila’s final days in India,
Ogeta was among the few who remained close, a silent witness to the last
chapter of a storied life.
Ogeta has served Raila for years, with his devotion having been tested in 2023 during a politically charged period when he was abducted by unknown men believed to be police officers.
For days, he vanished. When finally
released, he was found blindfolded and visibly shaken, a stark reminder of the
risks that come with guarding a figure as prominent and polarising as Raila.
Despite the trauma, Ogeta never
wavered. He returned to his post, standing beside Raila through rallies,
negotiations and moments of national tension.
Ogeta’s career spans over two
decades of elite military and security training across the globe.
Reports indicate he underwent
professional instruction in Afghanistan and France, each for two years,
focusing on advanced protection, intelligence gathering and tactical response.
His most extensive training came
from Israel’s Special Forces, where he spent 15 years honing skills in
counter-surveillance and rapid combat reaction.
He also trained with Russian forces
for 10 years, gaining expertise in high-level personal protection
Raila passed away on October 15, 2025, in India, where he was undergoing treatment.
He will be buried on October 19 in Bondo.
