Maurice Ogeta, the former aide and long-time personal bodyguard to veteran opposition politician Raila Odinga, has opened up about how his abduction during last year’s Gen Z protests wiped out more than a decade of financial progress in a single day.
Speaking on NTV in a segment titled *#UnmaskingRailaShadow — Chronicles of Raila’s Former Aide*, Ogeta disclosed that KSh 14.7 million in cash was in his vehicle at the time of his kidnapping and was taken by his abductors.
“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.
What was in Ogeta’s car?
Ogeta clarified that the money was not all his personal funds. Part of it belonged to Raila, and he had been on his way to hand it over when he was seized. His car was also stripped apart during the ordeal.
The former aide was quick to address the wave of scepticism that followed news of his kidnapping. Many people accused him of fabricating the abduction as a cover to pocket the money, a claim he rejected firmly.
“So many people said so many different things, I stole the money, I faked his abduction. Strange enough, some of the people who were saying that I did fake my abduction were in hiding. They were hiding themselves not to be abducted after hearing that I was taken,” he said.
Raila cancelled London trip after hearing the news
Ogeta was abducted on 19 July, and the two had been scheduled to travel to London together the following day or the day after. According to Ogeta, Raila immediately called off those plans upon learning what had happened.
“He cancelled the flight, he cancelled the trip. And as it is, I think my abduction, that is how the demonstrations ended,” Ogeta said.
When Ogeta finally reached Raila by phone after his release, the veteran politician responded in characteristic fashion, choosing humour over sympathy to ease the tension of the moment.
“My boss was a very funny character as well. Instead of making him feel you went through some pain, I think he asked me like, what is baptism? … When I told him what happened, he asked me did you have that parcel? I’m like yes because I was going to him I was going to give it back then he said yeah I know very well that is the first thing they have to take,” Ogeta recalled.
Despite the staggering financial loss, Ogeta said Raila did not question his integrity. He credited years of built-up trust between the two men for that understanding.
Maurice Ogetta: I lost Sh14.7 million when I was abducted; it was in the car, and they took it. It took me 10 years back because those were my savings.
My boss Raila Odinga cancelled his London trip after hearing I was abducted.
#UnmaskingRailasShadow @NginaKirori https://t.co/WsaRMlU6WB
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) October 11, 2026
