Raila Odinga’s Bodyguard Maurice Ogeta Reveals KSh14.7 Million Loss in 2023 Abduction

Maurice Ogeta, the long-serving bodyguard of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has opened up about his 2023 abduction, the loss of KSh14.7 million and the dangers he faced while protecting the veteran politician.

Speaking in a media interview marking one year since Odinga’s death, Ogeta recounted the ordeal that left him without his life savings and reflected on some of the most dangerous moments of his time guarding the former Prime Minister.

Ogeta recounts KSh14.7 million loss during abduction

On July 19, 2023, during anti-government protests in Nairobi, Ogeta stopped at a car wash before heading to Nairobi Hospital to visit Odinga.

Minutes later, plainclothes security officers reportedly surrounded his vehicle. Ogeta said he chose not to resist the men.

“I told them I’m armed just remove the pistol,” he recalled.

He was bundled into the boot of a Subaru and driven to locations he still cannot identify. During the incident, his vehicle was vandalised and KSh14.7 million in cash was taken.

The money comprised his personal savings, funds belonging to Odinga and money intended for an investment project.

“I was taken to places I don’t know up to date, they took money. I lost 14.7 million. It was in the car and they took it. It took me 10 years back because those were my savings,” he said.

Reports published at the time indicated that Ogeta was held blindfolded in an empty room for three days before being abandoned in Ruai, along Kangundo Road, in the early hours of July 21, 2023.

He also dismissed rumours that he had staged the abduction to keep the money, maintaining that Odinga understood what had happened.

Protecting Raila during violent confrontations

Ogeta also recalled the dangers he encountered while guarding Odinga during politically charged rallies and demonstrations.

He described one confrontation in Pipeline, where police reportedly cornered a convoy of nearly 200 vehicles. As teargas, stones and bullets struck the vehicle carrying Odinga, its windscreen cracked.

With the situation deteriorating, Ogeta said he instructed Odinga to lie on the floor of the vehicle to reduce his exposure to danger.

“I’ve put him to lie down not even sitting on the seat now coz now it was a matter of let them get to you as the last person anyway.”

Ogeta said he used whatever items were available to shield Odinga on the floor while keeping his team informed over the radio.

Ogeta clarifies rumours about Raila’s health

The former bodyguard also addressed viral videos that circulated online concerning Odinga’s health, clarifying that a widely shared clip showing the former Prime Minister in a hospital gown had been recorded during an earlier trip to Dubai, not India.

He further recounted Odinga’s final morning, saying the former Prime Minister had initially appeared to be in high spirits before suddenly becoming unwell.

“I held his hands I realized coz I wanted to start moving to take him to the other seat where we had left the phones and all that where we started then I saw him He started sweating,” Ogeta explained.

He said Odinga subsequently lost physical control, prompting him to hold the former Prime Minister firmly as they waited for medical assistance.