Maurice Ogeta, the longtime aide and bodyguard who served the late Raila Odinga for 29 years, has opened up about one of the most harrowing episodes of his career: his abduction during the 2023 anti-government demonstrations, during which he lost KSh 14.7 million in cash.
Ogeta, who first encountered Raila by chance in 1997 while working at a Nairobi health and fitness centre, has been reflecting on their shared journey as the first anniversary of the veteran politician’s death on October 15, 2025 approaches.
How abduction unfolded and why Ogeta had KSh 14.7m in car
Speaking about the circumstances surrounding his kidnapping, Ogeta pointed to what he believed was a security lapse caused by live social media coverage.
He claimed Professor Makau was broadcasting their movements in real time during the demonstrations, which he felt put them at serious risk.
“I think some of our guys really exposed me. To date, I am not very sure whether I have forgiven Professor Makau for that. He was in Arabos during the demonstrations, recording the happenings live and showing our movements in the vehicle,” Ogeta said.
He explained that the KSh 14.7 million was in the car because he was on his way to hand it over to Raila.
According to him, part of the funds belonged to the ODM leader, while the rest was money Ogeta had saved for a separate investment. His captors took all of it and the financial blow was severe.
“The loss pushed me back by about 10 years because it was money I had saved over a long period,” Ogeta said.
Raila’s reaction after loss of KSh 14.7m
After he was released, Ogeta called Raila, who had already travelled to Malindi.
Rather than expressing sympathy, the former prime minister responded with a characteristic lightness, asking him, “What is baptism?” Ogeta understood this as Raila’s way of helping him stay composed and not dwell on the ordeal.
Despite that response, Ogeta says the abduction deeply affected Raila. A planned trip to London they were set to take together on July 20 or 21, the day after the abduction, was cancelled entirely.
When Ogeta told Raila about the missing money, the late politician acknowledged it without hesitation. “Did you have that parcel?” Raila asked. When Ogeta confirmed he had been on his way to return it, Raila replied, “Yes, I know very well. That is the first thing they had to take because they even took my car and dismantled almost everything inside.”
Ogeta also had to contend with accusations from some quarters that he had staged the abduction to steal the money. He noted, with some bitterness, that several of those making the claims had themselves gone into hiding during the same period out of fear of being abducted.
