Maurice Ogeta, the longtime bodyguard of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has recounted the emotional moments leading to the veteran politician's death in India. Ogeta revealed that Raila collapsed while taking his routine morning walk on October 15, 2025, at an Ayurvedic facility in Kerala, India. The two had set out for their usual morning exercise, walking around a 50-metre loop within the villa's grounds. Raila intended to complete five laps that morning, but their routine took a tragic turn midway through the second lap.
According to Ogeta, Raila completed the first lap without any difficulty before suddenly stopping halfway through the second. Ogeta heard the former Prime Minister utter a faint sound resembling "Aai" or "Aih", which he now believes may have been his final word. Ogeta immediately asked Raila whether he was experiencing pain in his back or leg, but Raila did not respond. His eyes appeared fixed on something in the distance before his body gave way and he slumped against Ogeta.
Ogeta said Raila was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, with the journey taking approximately five to 10 minutes. Upon arrival, medical personnel worked to revive the former Prime Minister, leaving Ogeta deeply shaken. He recalled watching doctors perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Raila, with concerns about possible rib injuries due to the force used during the procedure.
Ogeta approached Dr Lumi to ask whether Raila could sustain broken ribs during the resuscitation process. The doctor explained that rib fractures can sometimes occur during CPR because of the force required to perform effective chest compressions. Ogeta's anxiety intensified when he noticed a Bible, a candle, and a piece of cloth being laid out near the resuscitation area, heightening his fears as he continued hoping for a successful revival.
Doctors at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala, confirmed that Raila arrived following a cardiac arrest with no detectable pulse or blood pressure. The former Prime Minister was pronounced dead on October 15, 2025, aged 80. His death brought an end to a political career spanning decades and triggered an outpouring of grief from Kenyans and leaders across the world.
For Ogeta, the loss was deeply personal, given the years he had spent working closely with Raila. He remembered the former Prime Minister as more than an employer, describing him as a mentor, friend, and father figure who had become an important part of his life. Ogeta broke down in tears when Raila's body arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) the following day.
The bodyguard's account of Raila's final moments provides a glimpse into the life of the veteran politician, who left a lasting legacy in Kenyan politics. Raila's death marked the end of an era, and his contributions to the country's development will be remembered for years to come.
Key points
- - Raila Odinga collapsed while taking his routine morning walk in India on October 15, 2025. - He was pronounced dead at 80 years old after suffering a cardiac arrest with no detectable pulse or blood pressure. - Maurice Ogeta, Raila's longtime bodyguard, recounted the emotional moments leading to the veteran politician's death.
