The late Raila Odinga’s long-serving personal bodyguard Maurice Ogeta has finally paid an emotional tribute to the man he protected for years, describing their bond as one that transcended duty, a connection he likened to that of a father and son.

In a heartfelt message, Ogeta reflected on his time by Raila’s side, recalling years marked by trust, loyalty, and shared sacrifice. He said the role was far more than a job; it was a journey of personal growth shaped by the mentorship of a leader he deeply admired.

His tribute adds a deeply personal layer to the outpouring of grief and remembrance that has followed the passing of one of Kenya’s most iconic political figures.

He credited Raila— affectionately known as “Jakom” — with shaping his life and career, saying the role was not just a job but a journey of personal growth under the mentorship of a man he deeply respected.

“Jakom, the commitment in the years-old service to and under you, and the undeniably very close nexus blossomed to both comradeship of trust and a near father-son relationship,” Ogeta wrote in his tribute.

Ogeta, who had been at Raila’s side through countless political rallies, campaigns, and even moments of personal danger, said their relationship grew stronger over time as mutual trust was built.

Earlier, an emotional scene unfolded at Parliament as Ogeta broke down during the viewing of the former Prime Minister’s body.

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.

The government has confirmed that approximately 100 people received medical treatment after sustaining injuries during chaotic scenes at the body viewing exercise of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Speaking on Thursday, October 16, during the state funeral at Nyayo stadium, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga noted that despite the disorder, all injured individuals were attended to by emergency medical teams on site.

This comes amid unconfirmed reports that four people may have died during the stampede.

Dr. Oluga urged Kenyans to remain calm and orderly as the nation prepares for Raila’s burial on Sunday, assuring the public that the government has put comprehensive measures in place to manage crowds and respond to any medical emergencies.

“We would like to request Kenyans to keep calm and maintain order. We are all mourning; we should maintain peace,” he said. 

“Let us not be aggressive in our efforts. Yesterday, there was chaos at Kasarani, and people got injured. Approximately 100 people received treatment. Please, we do not want people to get injured again,” Oluga added. 

Chaos on Thursday afternoon erupted at Kasarani stadium when thousands of supporters of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga attempted to forcefully access the VIP staging area where his body was being held for public viewing.

The crowd seemingly got impatient and tired of waiting, and thereafter started hurling chairs and stones at the security guards who were manning the said area.

The ensuing melee, which occurred a few minutes past 3pm, forced police officers to fire in the air and lob teargas canisters at the thousands of people who had gathered at the stadium.

This forced the crowd to scatter out of the stadium. At least two people were seen seriously injured and receiving first aid from officers of the National Youth Service (NYS).

The national funeral committee has announced a change in the funeral arrangements of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, cancelling the planned overnight stay of his body at his Karen residence.

The new development was confirmed in a statement on Friday, October 17, by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale.

“The national funeral committee wishes to announce to the public that due to unavoidable circumstances, the body of the HE. The late Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence for overnight-stay as earlier planned,” he said.

Etale noted that after the ongoing public viewing at the Nyayo National Stadium, the body will instead be returned to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation ahead of its journey to Kisumu on Saturday morning.

“Instead, after public viewing that is currently going on at the Nyayo National Stadium, it will be taken back to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation in readiness for airlifting to Kisumu tomorrow (Saturday 18/10/2025) morning,” the statement added.

According to an earlier programme, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had indicated that the body will be moved to Raila’s Karen home for an overnight stay after the state funeral at Nyayo Stadium before leaving Nairobi for Kisumu for public viewing on Saturday.

Afterwards, the body travels by road from Kisumu to Bondo for an overnight stay.

Elsewhere, Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, revealed intimate details of her father’s final moments, disclosing that the former Prime Minister died in her arms after completing his morning walk.

Winnie dispelled rumors that had circulated on social media about the circumstances of her father’s death, painting instead a picture of a man who remained strong and dignified until his final breath. 

“I was with him when he took his last breath. He died in my arms. But he did not die like people have been saying on social media. Every day he woke up and walked. He would do one round. Sometimes two rounds. That morning, he did five rounds,” she revealed.

Winnie emphasized that her father’s death was not marked by weakness or suffering, but rather by the same strength and determination that had defined his life.

“He died strong and with dignity and with pride. We all must walk with our heads held high, as he left as a gentleman,” she added.

On behalf of the Odinga family, Winnie expressed deep gratitude to Kenyans from all corners of the country who had turned out to mourn their beloved leader.

“As a family, we thank all of you from Turkana to Lamu, from Isiolo to the shores of Lake Victoria,” she said, acknowledging the nationwide outpouring of grief that had characterized the past two days. “The King is dead, but long live the crown.”

On her part, Rosemary shared a personal account of the moment she learnt about her father’s passing. 

She recounted the confusion and disbelief that followed the devastating call from her brother, Raila Odinga Jr.

“I remember the day I received the message. I was seated on the table, just finished my breakfast, and then my brother Raila Odinga Jr. called me, and he asked me where I was. And I told him, I’m seated at the table. And then he asked me to sit down. And I asked myself, do I sit on the floor, or on the table, or the seat at the table is good enough? I was so confused. But then Junior then told me that our father was no longer with us,” she said.

Rosemary went on to express the enduring pain her family continues to experience since the passing of their father, describing how his absence has left a profound void in their lives.

“Until today, it is still very difficult. It is very difficult for us to feel like a family. And today, we are here to pray for Kenya and the rest of the world. I want to say thank you very much,” she added.

Winnie Odinga, the daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, delivered an emotional and spirited tribute to her father, describing him as both “Dad and superhero”  a man whose love, wit, and courage shaped her life.

“I don’t know who I’ll miss more — my Dad or my superhero,” she began, her voice breaking as mourners listened in silence.

“I am the luckiest girl in the world because you were my Dad. Only three other human beings were as lucky as me Fidel, Rozzy and Junior.”

Winnie described her father as a steady light “unyielding and deeply human” whose presence commanded attention wherever he went.

“To the world, you were known by many names,” she said. “You even gave almost everyone you met a nickname too. But to me, you were simply Dad a man whose presence froze rooms around the world.”

She fondly recalled their home life, which she described as “the vitendawili testing ground,” where Raila would challenge his children with trivia and riddles that kept their minds sharp.

“Our home was filled with quizzes that tested us in a good way… sometimes,” she said with a small smile.

Winnie said she laughed when she learned of her father’s final wish to be buried within 72 hours of his passing.

“When I learnt that you willed to be buried in 72 hours, I laughed,” she said. “Good old Dad! Testing and planning for us beyond the grave. I can see you now, laughing in your heaving manner, knowing your wish will be done.”

Turning to mourners, Winnie said her father had instilled in her and in the nation lessons on leadership, justice, and patriotism.

“I learned from him that love for country is not just in words, but in sacrifice,” she said. “That justice must be pursued even when the path is lonely. That true leadership is service  not power.

She urged Kenyans not to despair, saying her father had prepared them for this moment.

“Millions of you are in despair, but take heart,” she said. “He left a plan for you too. He led all of us, he taught us, he carried us — we know what he expects from all of us, and we shall rise together in his honour.”

Winnie remembered her father as a man of deep humility and resilience, who faced both victory and defeat with the same grace.

“I watched him at his best. I watched him fall and rise again each time with grace, forgiveness, and hope,” she said. “He taught us that defeat is not failure, that conviction is not arrogance, and that peace is always greater than pride.”

At home, she said, Raila was gentle, humorous, and deeply family-oriented — a storyteller who adored his grandchildren and made time for them even during national duties.

“Ask his grandchildren in the front,” she said, smiling through her tears. “I started getting sidelined for holidays. I’d just wake up and see Baba in Kasarani with Saphie, or Malindi with Senayi, or insisting the captain must land the plane with Laiyon at the cockpit.”

“He loved Saphie, Allay, Senayi, Laiyon and Jara with all his heart,” she added. “Even in the busiest moments of national duty, he would send me to check on all of you to remind us to stay grounded, to dream boldly, and to always stand firm for what is right.”

As she concluded, Winnie said she would forever cherish both the leader and the father she knew — her greatest loss and her eternal inspiration.

“Today, as we celebrate his life, I choose to remember not only the leader the world knew, but the father I loved with every fibre of my being,” she said.

“The biggest part of me died on October 15, 2025, but the spirit of the lion roars on forever. The King is dead — but long live the crown.”

The solemn convoy, led by military outriders and a ceremonial gun carriage, transported the remains of the late statesman through the streets of Nairobi in a display of national reverence rarely seen for a political figure.

The thunderous cheers that greeted the cortege at Nyayo Stadium reflected the deep affection and respect Kenyans held for the man fondly known as Baba.

The ceremony mirrored the pomp and precision of presidential events.

As the gun carriage made its way around the stadium, the crowd waved flags and orange ribbons, the signature colour of his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, chanting songs that celebrated his decades-long struggle for democracy and justice.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday lightened the sombre mood at Nyayo Stadium as he recalled the humorous and reflective moments, he once shared with the late Raila Odinga even as he mourned him as a brother, friend, and patriot.

Speaking during Raila Odinga’s state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, October 17, he recalled casual talks with Raila about their forefathers Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and other fallen heroes of the country and region, during which they would wonder if their forefathers were watching them and what they thought about them.

“Sometimes after work, when we’d relax a bit, we would be given a small something there. You’re laughing? By ‘a small something,’ I mean porridge and tea.”

“We would talk about our fathers who had passed away, wondering if they were watching us and what they might be saying. Now I know you are with them, talking to our old men,” Uhuru said.

While jokingly clarifying that he was in no rush to join the forefathers, he revealed he finds comfort knowing Raila is now with them in a better place.

“Now, my friend, now that you have gone ahead of me there, I know you all talk to each other there. Not that I’m in a hurry to come and join you there, I still want to rest a bit, may God help us. I know when our time comes, you will be there to show us the way and the roads there. May God have mercy and rest your soul.”

The crowd responded with laughter and applause before falling back into silence as Uhuru’s tone turned deeply emotional.

“My heart is heavy, and my spirit is burdened with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal,” he said.

“The news of Raila’s passing has left a silence that echoes across our nation a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction.”

Uhuru described Raila as a man who shaped Kenya’s political story not just as a rival, but as a partner in nation-building.

“Raila and I were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved,” he said. “At some point along that journey, we became political opponents. The competition was tough, but from it came respect and a shared patriotism.”

Uhuru also eulogised Raila as a beacon of peace, democracy and human rights in Kenya.

Uhuru added that no account of the country’s history would be complete without mentioning Raila at the forefront.

“Our history in this country is not complete without Raila as number one,” he said as he urged Kenyans to maintain the ideals of Raila for eternity.

In his speech, Uhuru described Raila as a leader who remained close to the people and embraced all Kenyans equally.

“Raila Odinga was never tribal; he loved all the people of Kenya.This is evident in the friendships he built across the country. Raila valued you for your thoughts and words not because of the colour of your skin,” he said

“Raila has left us in body but in our spirits and in the spirit of Kenya, he will live for years to come.”

Uhuru also offered his condolences to Raila’s family, led by his widow, Mama Ida Odinga, and their children, Rosemary, Junior, and Winnie.

He added that he would now take care of them in Raila’s absence.

“I have come to mourn a friend and a brother,” he said. “Even in our sadness, let’s take the opportunity to appreciate Mama Ida and the family. To Kenyans, I say thank you for giving us Raila.”