Who is Maurice Ogeta?: Raila Odinga’s Bodyguard Who Was With Him Last Moments Before He Died
Maurice Ogeta, the longtime bodyguard of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has captured the hearts of many Kenyans for his emotional display during the final journey of his boss.
For years, Ogeta has been a constant figure by Raila’s side, vigilant, calm, and always a few steps behind, ensuring the veteran leader’s safety both at home and abroad.
Whether during political rallies, international engagements, or private family functions, Ogeta’s presence was a familiar sight to anyone following Raila’s public life.
His professionalism and dedication to duty made him one of the most recognizable faces in Raila’s close circle.
In the days leading up to Raila’s death, Ogeta was among the few who remained by his side in India, where the ODM leader had been receiving treatment.
Maurice Ogeta, Raila Odinga’s long-serving chief bodyguard and close aide, was among the close associates present moments before the opposition leader collapsed and died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. In a viral video clip that captured Odinga’s morning walk in India, Ogeta was seen a few steps behind his boss.
Ogeta is a well-known Kenyan security expert who has served as the chief bodyguard and close aide to the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga for many years.
His long-standing presence alongside the opposition leader has made him one of the most recognizable figures in Kenya’s political security circles.
Personal and Family Background of Maurice Ogeta
Maurice Ogeta hails from Kondele, a popular neighbourhood in Kisumu County, Nyanza region.
His family lives in Komolo, Uyoma.
He is known to keep details of his private life largely out of the public domain.
However, during his abduction in 2023, his family publicly appealed for his release during the abduction.
In media statements post-release, he referenced previous personal losses in his family, saying those deaths had caused concern when news of his disappearance spread.
Education and Training
Maurice Ogeta has undergone extensive military and security training in several countries over the past two decades.
Reports indicate that he received professional instruction in Afghanistan for 2 years and in France for another 2 years, where he studied advanced protection, intelligence gathering, and tactical response.
He is also reported to have trained with Israel’s special forces for 15 years and Russian forces for 10 years, gaining expertise in counter-surveillance, rapid combat reaction, and high-level personal protection.
His skills include marksmanship, quick response, and weapon detection, key traits for a professional in his field.
In addition to his technical expertise, Maurice Ogeta is said to be multilingual, reportedly fluent in more than 15 international languages, including German, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese.
His linguistic ability enhances his communication and coordination in multicultural security environments.
Career life
Maurice Ogeta’s career in the security sector has spanned over 25 years.
His most prominent role has been as Raila Odinga’s chief bodyguard, where he has been responsible for ensuring the opposition leader’s safety during both private and public engagements.
Maurice Ogeta has remained a constant figure beside Odinga, particularly during political rallies and high-tension moments.
In July 2023, Ogeta was abducted in Nairobi during a period of nationwide protests.
Confirming the news was Raila Odinga’s communication director, Phillip Etale, who said that the unknown people believed to be police officers had taken him to an unknown location.
According to Etale, Ogeta was taken by officers in plain clothes who claimed to be from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
After the ordeal, Maurice Ogeta continued to serve Raila Odinga.
His dedication was further demonstrated in October 2025, when he accompanied Raila Odinga to India, where the late prime minister met his death.
He was comforted by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and other members of the delegation in a scene that has since gone viral.
Upon landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Ogeta’s grief was again visible; viral photos showed him shedding tears as Raila’s body was being offloaded from the aircraft.
Read Also: Raila Odinga’s Death: Understanding Cardiac Arrest and Why it Kills Millions of People Every Year
Family members and colleagues were seen consoling Ogeta after the somber arrival, recognizing the heavy emotional toll of losing a man he had served for years.
Later that evening, he was spotted at the Lee Funeral Home.
As images and videos of Ogeta’s emotional moments spread across social media, Kenyans from all walks of life expressed deep sympathy for him.
Check out some of the reactions below;
