REVEALED: Why Mama Ida Was Absent At Oduor’s Burial
Mama Ida, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife, did not attend the burial of her husband’s longtime assistant and bodyguard, George Oduor, on Saturday.
Raila delivered a condolence message to Oduor’s family.
He stated that Mama Ida was out of the country, indicating that she was on a mission in Korea, which is why she was absent in Ndori.
“Let me begin by bringing condolences from my wife, Mama Ida who cannot be here today because she is on a mission in Korea. That is why she is not here,” Raila said.
George, 57, died on Wednesday, April 2, at a Nairobi hospital, following a short illness. He has been Raila’s bodyguard since 1995.
Raila’s eulogy praised him as a guy of excellent character—innocent, truthful, giving, and trustworthy.
“He was simply and widely known in political circles, was not just a bodyguard. He officially became my bodyguard in 1995,” Raila said.
Raila Odinga, at the burial of his aide George Oduor, in Rarieda.
— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) April 12, 2025
"I have told MPs to give CDF back to the Counties. MPs have no business constructing roads. How do you oversight when you're implementing?"
"If MPs don't devolve CDF, we will make it an election issue in 2027." pic.twitter.com/90ch5Lge9z
“But he had been with us long before that, working as part of the youth team that provided security for Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the FORD leadership. His loyalty was never in question.”
To many who knew him, he was more than just Baba’s bodyguard.
George has been a prominent figure in opposition politics since the 1990s when the pro-democracy movement was in its early stages.
When Jaramogi died in 1994, he was selected as one of six young men to accompany the late leader’s hearse from Nairobi to Bondo.
“Even in grief, George was composed—firm with the crowds, respectful and calm under pressure. Those were the traits that defined his entire life,” Raila said.
READ MORE:
- Gachagua Hosts Linturi, Meru Leaders In Wamunyoro
- EPRA: New Rules Electricians MUST Follow In Kenya
- Education Ministry Issues Special Teachers Course Recruitment Programme
- EXPLAINED: How Bursaries Will Be Issued
- Senator Omtatah Withdraws Petition Against Uhuru, Ruto Over Kenya’s Public Debt
Raila claimed that while political tides moved and new structures arose, George stayed steadfast.
He was eventually reassigned as Raila Odinga’s personal aide, a position requiring more than physical protection. It requires prudence, loyalty, and character.
President William Ruto attended Oduor’s funeral and stated that he used Oduor’s security services when a member of the ODM party.
“I came to know George as a member of ODM then and we were in many places together and somebody said here I benefited also from his security service and that is true.”
REVEALED: Why Mama Ida Was Absent At Oduor’s Burial
