Maurice Ogeta, a former bodyguard to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has shared a terrifying moment from his tenure as his boss’s aide.
Speaking of the 2023 anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi, he said he feared he had been killed after a vehicle they were traveling in was attacked by security officers and protesters.
The longtime aide to Raila has shared a glimpse into the dangers the veteran politician faced while in office, including the 2023 Azimio coalition demonstrations against President William Ruto’s government.
‘They Have Killed Mzee’
Speaking on a television show, Ogeta recounted an incident in the Pipeline, Embakasi area of Nairobi, when Raila’s vehicle was trapped in an intense standoff with security officers.
According to Ogeta, the windscreen was pelted repeatedly until it cracked, and gunfire opened up on the vehicle.
The former bodyguard recalled hearing the words of the security commander in the lead vehicle exclaiming Raila Odinga had been killed.
“He said ‘they have killed Mzee’ (elder), and that made me think, This man is dead,” Ogeta told the outlet.
The words of the security commander in the lead vehicle sent a wave of shock through Ogeta, as he said he had anticipated the worst that neither he nor Raila would survive the attack.
While the security team maneuvered the vehicle to try and break away from the confrontation, Ogeta told Raila he was alive.
His words were part of a mix of emotions as he tried to protect the veteran politician and get him to safety.
The account sheds light on the challenges of those charged with the security of politicians, who often face life-and-death decisions while trying to keep their principals safe during often unpredictable confrontations.
Ogetta Says He Used His Body to Protect Raila
Ogeta said the dilemma was complicated by the fact that the armored vehicle they were using had a number of challenges as they tried to get clear of the confrontation.
He recalled Raila Odinga wanted to look outside but had feared exposing his position if he did so.
“The boss wanted to look outside, but I did not want him to expose his position. I forced him to lie down in the vehicle and held his hand down while trying to protect him.”
Ogeta also recalled the challenges of making snap decisions on what to do with regard to people surrounding the vehicle.
Opening the doors, he said, would have exposed them to tear gas, water cannons, and other dangers.
“In the midst of tear gas, water cannons, and chaos, I (Ogeta) had to make a snap decision on whether to shoot or not, knowing that my actions would determine whether life or death would be the outcome.
“The overriding consideration was the security of the boss and escape.”
The account is yet another reminder of the many challenges those tasked with the protection of public personalities must often face in their efforts to keep them safe.
A Long Relationship Built on Trust
Ogeta’s relationship with Raila Odinga went well beyond a typical bodyguard and politician relationship.
According to reports in Kenyan media, the two met for the first time in 1997, when Raila dropped by a health and fitness center where Ogeta was employed.
Ogeta told the outlet he had suspected trouble when a group of men arrived, asking to see Raila.
“I distracted them (the men) and helped the boss to sneak away through the emergency exit,” he said.
The two remained close for decades, and Ogeta became one of Raila’s most trusted aides for nearly 30 years.
The former bodyguard has described the boss as a mentor, friend, and father figure.
Their long association also meant Ogeta saw some of the most difficult hours of Raila’s life, including the challenges of his time in politics and the dangers of the many demonstrations.
Ogetta’s Own Abduction During the 2023 Protests
The 2023 anti-government protests also saw Ogeta’s fears come true when he was abducted during the wave of demonstrations.
In an earlier interview, Ogeta said the ordeal was distressing as he lost a significant amount of money he was transporting on behalf of Raila.
He also expressed concern at the fact that people had been filming inside the vehicle during the confrontations, and he feared the information could be used to track the movement of Raila’s convoy.
“The situation was distressing, and I was also losing money, as the money I was carrying for the boss disappeared.
“Even with the loss of money, I was also concerned that the videos were being shared for purposes of tracking us.”
The experience was a sobering one for Ogeta.
However, he has said the trust shown in him by Raila Odinga was not diminished by the ordeal.
Raila’s Final Moments in India
Ogeta’s recollections of a tense moment during the 2023 protests have rekindled interest in his reminiscences of Raila’s final hours in India.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India, aged 80.
According to Ogeta, the day started as any other, as the two visited a wellness resort in Kerala.
“Normally we walked around the resort, but on this day, after completing the first round, Raila said he was not well, and we went back.
“After completing the second round, Raila stopped suddenly, and I asked if he was experiencing pain in his back or leg, but he did not respond.
“I tried to assist him, but he lost control of his body, and I had to lower him to the ground and put him in a recovery position.
I called for help, and the medical personnel arrived and took Raila to the hospital for emergency care.”
The former bodyguard said the news of the death of his boss came as a shock.
“After serving him for nearly 30 years, it was a surprise and a big shock,” Ogeta said.
A Security Detail That Witnessed History
Ogeta’s recollections of a tense moment during the 2023 protests have rekindled interest in his reminiscences of Raila’s final hours in India.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India, aged 80.
According to Ogeta, the day started as any other, as the two visited a wellness resort in Kerala.
“Normally we walked around the resort, but on this day, after completing the first round, Raila said he was not well, and we went back.
“After completing the second round, Raila stopped suddenly, and I asked if he was experiencing pain in his back or leg, but he did not respond.
“I tried to assist him, but he lost control of his body, and I had to lower him to the ground and put him in a recovery position.
I called for help, and the medical personnel arrived and took Raila to the hospital for emergency care.”
The former bodyguard said the news of the death of his boss came as a shock.
“After serving him for nearly 30 years, it was a surprise and a big shock,” Ogeta said.
A Security Detail That Witnessed History
Ogeta’s recollections of a tense moment during the 2023 protests have rekindled interest in his reminiscences of Raila’s final hours in India.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India, aged 80.
According to Ogeta, the day started as any other, as the two visited a wellness resort in Kerala.
“Normally we walked around the resort, but on this day, after completing the first round, Raila said he was not well, and we went back.
“After completing the second round, Raila stopped suddenly, and I asked if he was experiencing pain in his back or leg, but he did not respond.
“I tried to assist him, but he lost control of his body, and I had to lower him to the ground and put him in a recovery position.
I called for help, and the medical personnel arrived and took Raila to the hospital for emergency care.”
The former bodyguard said the news of the death of his boss came as a shock.
“After serving him for nearly 30 years, it was a surprise and a big shock,” Ogeta said.
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