Raila’s Former Aide Reveals Why They Drove Around Nairobi CBD at Night

The late Raila Odinga with his Bodyguard Maurice Ogeta. Photo/ Nation

Maurice Ogeta, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s aide and bodyguard, has revealed why he sometimes drove around Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) at night with the veteran politician, recounting the security challenges they faced during periods of political uncertainty.

In an interview with Citizen TV on October 12, Ogeta said Odinga sometimes relied on his personal vehicle to move around discreetly, leaving him to decide where to take his boss while staying alert to possible security threats.

Ogeta said the unusual nighttime journeys were part of the responsibility that came with being one of the people Odinga trusted most, particularly when the political environment made his movements sensitive.

Why Raila Odinga And Maurice Ogeta Drove Around Nairobi at Night

According to Ogeta, Odinga sometimes asked him to use his private vehicle to transport him instead of his official car.

The former aide recalled that Odinga trusted him enough to let him drive him to various destinations, even when he had not clearly specified where he wanted to go.

Ogeta said the arrangement often left him with difficult questions, as he had to transport the former prime minister without knowing where they were ultimately headed or whether anyone was following them.

He explained that the uncertainty was particularly challenging because he was not Odinga’s official driver, yet he had been entrusted with his safety during the journeys.

“He simply asked me, “Do you own this vehicle?” It’s not his official vehicle, it’s not his personal vehicle. He confided in me at that point that I could take my vehicle, take it, and go with him to places. Sometimes we don’t know where to go.I don’t know where to hide it. You know how big it is. I don’t know what to do with it,” Ogeta said during the interview.

He added that he was constantly concerned about what might happen, given the political circumstances surrounding Odinga and the responsibility of ensuring that they remained safe.

Also Read: Raila Odinga’s Bodyguard Maurice Ogeta Recalls Daring 2023 Assassination Scare

The Night Raila Spent Two Hours Near Nation House

Ogeta also recounted a particular night when he drove Odinga to an area near Nyayo House in Nairobi’s CBD, where they stayed for approximately two hours.

According to Ogeta, Raila remained inside the vehicle to rest while he managed the situation outside.

The former aide explained that staying inside the parked vehicle for the entire period would have attracted the attention of night guards and security personnel in the area.

Also Read: Remembering Raila: Meet the Man Who Gifted Him an Expensive Red Hummer During 2007 Campaign

Therefore, Ogeta had to step out of the vehicle, walk around and engage the guards as he waited for Odinga, who remained inside the car.

He said he did not know where else to take the former prime minister, highlighting the challenges he faced in finding a suitable place for Odinga to rest without attracting attention.

He further recalled how Odinga once cautioned him against paying attention to propaganda and rumours circulating during the politically uncertain period.

“I remember, he told me one day, “Maurice, stop listening to these propaganda rumors.” And it sounded so funny in English, but I’ll try to translate it. And that’s what he was saying to himself, “Not much is going to happen.”

However, Ogeta said the reassurance did not completely ease his concerns because he still had to navigate unfamiliar routes while watching out for potential security risks.

He added that the uncertainty surrounding their movements made the situation more complicated as he worked to keep Odinga safe.

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