Veteran journalist Linus Kaikai has appealed for public sympathy for Maurice Ogeta, the long-serving bodyguard of the late Raila Odinga, after Ogeta collapsed when Odinga’s body arrived in Kenya.
Kaikai described Ogeta as a man who had protected Raila from many dangers but was unable to prevent this loss.
Ogeta has been a constant presence beside Raila Odinga for years, serving in a role that combined professional duty with personal loyalty.
Kaikai’s brief message on social media urged Kenyans to “spare a thought for Maurice,” highlighting the emotional toll on those who stand closest to public figures.
“My friend Maurice Ogeta was the late Raila’s bodyguard; the man who protected him from every danger except this one time he could do nothing about. Spare a thought for Maurice,” Kaikai wrote.
The comment came as Ogeta visibly broke down at the airport, overcome with grief as colleagues and wellwishers watched.
Eyewitnesses said Ogeta’s reaction was immediate and raw, a reminder of the personal losses behind national moments of mourning.
Several members of the party surrounding the late leader moved to support him, offering water and a shoulder as he composed himself.
The public response has been focused and sympathetic. On social media, users called for respect and privacy for Ogeta and other members of the late leader’s inner circle.
Supporters and ordinary citizens alike noted the heavy burden security staff carry when protecting high-profile figures.
Ogeta’s breakdown has drawn attention to the quieter consequences of political life: the emotional strain on staff, family and close associates when a public figure dies.
By Kenyans