By Valentine Omondi

Maurice Ogeta, the longtime aide and bodyguard of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has opened up about the difficulty of adjusting to life without the man he served for 29 years, revealing that reminders of their daily routine still catch him off guard months after his death.

In an interview with the Daily Nation published on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Ogeta described how he sometimes reaches for his phone expecting a call from Raila, only to remember that the former Prime Minister is no longer alive.

“Funny enough, I still fail to register. It still bothers me because, as late as last Thursday, it still happens at times. I rush to my phone thinking he’s called and I missed it,” Ogeta said.

He added that he sometimes finds himself heading towards their former workplace before remembering that Raila is gone.

“Sometimes I start heading to work where we were and I remember, oh, why was I going there?” he said.

Ogeta’s account offers a personal glimpse into the loss experienced by someone whose working life had been closely intertwined with Raila’s for nearly three decades.

A Bond Built Over 29 Years

Ogeta’s relationship with Raila began in 1997, when a chance encounter at a health and fitness centre in Nairobi brought the two together.

What began as an encounter developed into a long professional relationship in which Ogeta served as Raila’s aide and bodyguard through different stages of his political career.

Reflecting on the length of their relationship, Ogeta said he had hesitated to speak publicly about his experiences but eventually decided to share some of his memories.

“I’m not very sure whether I’m ready even as of now to say everything. But I thought, and seeing how things are happening and questions from all over, I thought I should also try not to be so mean because mheshimiwa Raila Odinga was Kenyan property,” he said.

He added: “You can imagine 1997 to date is 29 years, then someone leaves you without notice.”

The remarks capture the abruptness with which Ogeta says his life changed following Raila’s death in India on October 15, 2025.

Political Songs and Daily Routines Bring Back Memories

Ogeta said ordinary routines and familiar sounds can bring back memories of his former employer.

He recalled that political songs and ringtones sometimes take him back to October 15, the day Raila died.

The recollections underline how the loss continues to surface in everyday moments, from the sound of a phone to the familiar journey to work.

For someone who spent much of his adult life working closely with Raila, the absence has meant adjusting to routines that once revolved around the former Prime Minister’s movements and responsibilities.

Ogeta’s reflections also show how the death of a prominent public figure affects people whose lives were connected to him beyond the political spotlight.

Ogeta Acknowledges Those Who Have Checked on Him

Ogeta said several Kenyans and friends he made while working for Raila have checked on him since the former Prime Minister’s death.

He singled out Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, saying he had not expected him to be among the people who would offer him support.

“For Governor Abdulswamad from Mombasa, he was the last person… even if somebody gave me a multiple-choice quiz, I would have gotten so many wrongs before deciding it was him (to give me a job), so I owe him a lot,” Ogeta said.

He added that many of the people who had checked on him came from the Coast and North Eastern regions.

His comments point to the personal relationships he built during his years serving Raila and the support he says he has received since losing his longtime employer.

Raila died in India on October 15, 2025, aged 80. His death ended a political career spanning decades and left behind family members, political allies, supporters and longtime aides adjusting to his absence.

For Ogeta, the loss remains personal. Nearly a year after Raila’s death, the familiar routines of a 29-year relationship sometimes return before the reality of his absence sets in.

By Valentine Omondi

Maurice Ogeta, the longtime bodyguard of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has recounted a terrifying confrontation during the Pipeline demonstrations when he feared that both he and his employer would not survive an attack on their vehicle.

In a rare interview with the Daily Nation published on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Ogeta recalled how an officer in charge of Raila’s security, identified as Mr Chwanya, exclaimed that the former Prime Minister had been killed as their vehicle came under attack.

“For the first time, my blood registered that we were dead. The only thing I was waiting for is who is going to go first,” Ogeta recalled.

The former bodyguard said he understood that, as Raila’s protector, he could be the first person to die before the attackers reached the former Prime Minister.

He described a situation in which the vehicle was surrounded, tear gas and water cannons obstructed their view, and an attacker approached the car as the security team struggled to get away.

Security Team Feared Raila Had Been Killed

According to Ogeta, the confrontation was among the most dangerous experiences he shared with Raila during their 29 years together.

He recalled hearing the security commander say, “Wameua mzee,” meaning “They have killed Baba.”

But despite the frightening assessment, Ogeta said he tried to reassure Raila that he was still alive.

“I told him no, bado hajakufa… maintain mahali uko,” he said, explaining that he urged Raila to remain where he was as the team tried to turn the vehicle around.

Ogeta said Raila asked whether he was sure, forcing him to maintain his composure even as the situation grew increasingly dangerous.

He recalled that Raila wanted to see what was happening outside, but Ogeta pushed him down and kept him low to prevent the attackers from identifying his position inside the vehicle.

The former bodyguard said he was torn between confronting the attacker and protecting his employer. He considered whether to shoot but recognised that doing so could provoke further violence while the vehicle remained trapped.

Gunfire Shattered the Windscreen

In a separate account published by Citizen TV on October 9, Ogeta described an incident in which an officer approached Raila’s vehicle and repeatedly struck its windscreen until it cracked.

“There was a video that went viral of an officer coming to the windscreen of my boss’ car… that windscreen was hit so many times to a point where it gave in and cracked. After cracking, so many shots were fired in that car,” Ogeta said.

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He recalled the fear of watching the situation deteriorate while trying to protect Raila from harm.

“It reached a point where I registered in my mind and I could see my boss dead. In fact, it was like we are dead,” he told Citizen TV.

His account offers a glimpse into the dangers faced by the security team accompanying Raila during politically charged confrontations.

The allegations about the attack are based on Ogeta’s recollections. The circumstances of the incident and the identities and actions of those involved require independent corroboration.

A Protector Who Feared He Would Die First

Ogeta said his first concern during the confrontation was the possibility that he would be killed before the attackers reached Raila.

As the person tasked with protecting the former Prime Minister, he understood that he would be directly exposed if he attempted to confront the people surrounding their vehicle.

He described the difficulty of making decisions in a situation where visibility was poor, the vehicle was surrounded and the security team was struggling to escape.

Ogeta said he ultimately concentrated on keeping Raila down and concealing his position while the driver attempted to turn the vehicle around.

The incident left a lasting impression on the man who spent nearly three decades beside one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures.

His recollections also underline the risks that security personnel can face while protecting political leaders during volatile public demonstrations.

For Ogeta, the Pipeline confrontation remains one of the moments when the possibility of losing Raila became frighteningly real.

By Anderson Ojwang

Recently, a man interviewed by a local content creator claimed that he had conducted a DNA test on his 12-year-old daughter, and the results showed that she was not his biological daughter.

However, his wife and the mother of the daughter denied the results and maintained that the daughter was his biological child and that he had doctored the results.

The disappointed man agreed to facilitate a second DNA test at an institution of her choice.

With the results in his hands, the man left the marriage of 12 years. The child he had called his daughter, who had grown up calling him Dad and looking up to him as a mentor, protector and source of love, now had everything up in smoke.

And that is where Seme MP Dr James Nyikal, an elder, has introduced a Bill in Parliament that, when it comes into law, will end the pain of millions of children, fathers and Kenyans.

The National Assembly: The Child Identity and Family Integrity Bill, 2026.

“An Act of Parliament to provide for DNA verification of parentage at birth, to protect every child’s right to identity and family affiliation, to establish a national DNA registry, to regulate the collection, processing, storage, use and disclosure of genetic data, to provide for accredited DNA testing and quality assurance, to provide safeguards for mothers, children and parents, and for commercial purposes.”

What Is a DNA Test?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of humans and nearly all living organisms.

DNA tests often reveal hidden family secrets, unexpected ancestry and life-changing connections.

Non-Paternity Events (NPEs): Users discover that the man who raised them is not their biological father, sometimes uncovering hidden affairs, sperm donor lineages or adoption secrets. For example, a man named John found out that his biological father was a family friend after his parents passed away, upending his family history.

Switched at Birth: Rare cases, such as Alice Collins Plebuch, show how mail-in DNA kits revealed that a child had been sent home with the wrong family decades earlier.

Finding Birth Parents and Adoptions: Many adopted individuals use databases to track down biological mothers, fathers or long-lost siblings they never knew existed.

Corrected Ancestry Myths: People frequently discover that family lore about Native American, German or specific European roots is inaccurate, while uncovering unexpected ethnic backgrounds.

The Emotional Impact

The Positive Side: Many find closure, medical history and welcoming new relatives who complete a piece of their identity.

The Difficult Side: Uncovering secrets can cause severe emotional stress, broken relationships or hostile rejections from newly contacted relatives who prefer the past to stay buried. Experts recommend preparing for negative outcomes and seeking support or using intermediaries before reaching out to sudden matches.

The emotive topic is likely to draw a wide spectrum of reactions, with some supporting the Bill while others will view it as a witch hunt.

A university don, Prof. Z.G. Nyotumba, has welcomed the Bill, saying it will go a long way towards correcting injustices meted out by hospitals, which in some instances switch children, affecting family identity and treatment, among other things.

Nyotumba said that in some health institutions, unprofessional health officers had been conniving with some parents who wanted a specific sex for their child at birth and had ended up switching the children.

“This bill in entirely is good for the country and it is not meant to victimize anyone but to provide an authenticated data. Developed world have adopted the practice and what stop our country following the same path,” he said.

In a professional and development WhatsApp group, the Lake Land Development Wall, the topic was charged, with members taking different viewpoints.

Mr Cordiver Otienio wrote:

‘The aspect of DNA is a highly conflicting topic and very hard to achieve even through legislation.

Not every man is against raising a child not sired by him or marrying a lady with a child, but it is great when it is done willingly and the person should not do it while they are in the dark.

What perhaps hurt people is the fact that they are kept in the dark and that make them feel deceived…

In most cases, the mothers of such children will do something or have a behavior that ends up in separation or divorce then drag the man through hell in the name of Child support.

Let us not leave it the mothers of children to state who the father is, that is an important lead but it might not be factual….Even some of them do not really know who the fathers of their children are,’

Nairobi medic Dr Alfred Obengo wrote:

“This is like telling the cabinet to share all their phone call log/message details with the public. There will be no government,”

Mr Victor Kochogo wrote:

“truth for the first day, it’s going to end paternity fraud and many cases where men are raising children wo aren’t theirs, and also women being blamed unfairly. Your lineage, name and identity is clear from birth,”

By Reporter

The Government has invested billions of shillings in fisheries and aquaculture projects in Kilifi and Kisumu counties since 2022, with funding directed towards modern landing sites, processing and cold-storage facilities, research and training, and livelihood programmes targeting women and youth.

In Kilifi, the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development project has funded 287 Common Interest Groups with Sh983.64 million, benefiting 21,107 people, including 10,419 women and 10,688 youths.

The beneficiaries were engaged in fisheries, agriculture, livestock, environmental conservation, social welfare and small and medium-sized enterprises.

In Kisumu, CS Joho said the Government was developing the Kabonyo Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Service and Training Centre of Excellence, a US$9.997 million (Sh1.299 billion) project approved in November 2022 through a tied-aid credit from the Hungarian Government.

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho appeared before the Senate to respond to questions from Minority Leader and Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda on government investment in the blue economy sector in the two counties since 2022.

He said the programmes in the two counties were part of a national strategy to improve the management of fisheries resources while expanding opportunities for communities dependent on the sector.

Senator Madzayo had sought details on the distribution of blue economy investments, programmes undertaken in Kilifi, jobs created for women and youth, plans for landing sites and cold-storage facilities, and measures to address climate change, pollution and declining fish stocks.

Senator Ojienda, meanwhile, sought an update on blue economy programmes in Kisumu, including their implementation status and completion timelines, as well as the condition and operational status of landing sites and cold-chain facilities.

In his response, CS Joho said the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries had rolled out programmes across the country aimed at improving food and nutritional security while generating income and wealth.

“The State Department has formulated and implemented several programs and projects that have been rolled out nationally, with the objective of ensuring food and nutritional security, income and wealth generation for socioeconomic development of the country,” he said.

“The Blue Economy interventions have generated employment and livelihood opportunities through direct project activities and indirectly through associated value chains,” said CS Joho.

He said the Government had completed modern fish landing facilities at Ngomeni, Kichwa Cha Kati and Malindi at a cost of Sh48.62 million, Sh51.78 million and Sh54.98 million, respectively.

“The initiative is aimed at reducing post-harvest losses to improve food security and ensuring increased earnings for the fisher folk and an easing of the fishing pressure,” said CS Joho.

The Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site, which is being constructed at a cost of Sh275.07 million, is 85 per cent complete and, once operational, is expected to support 3,000 direct beneficiaries and 15,000 indirect beneficiaries.

“Upon completion and operationalization, the facility is expected to support 3,000 direct beneficiaries (BMU Members) and 15,000 indirect beneficiaries through fishing activities, fish handling, trading, transportation, processing and other fisheries value-chain activities,” he said.

The CS said the Government was also constructing the Kilifi Central Fisheries Office at a cost of Sh152.36 million, while the renovation of the Malindi Fisheries Office was costing Sh53.89 million. Both projects are approximately 99 per cent complete.

Plans are also underway to develop additional landing sites at Mayungu, Watamu, Mtwapa, Takaungu, Kuruwitu, Uyombo, Ngomeni, Malindi and Bofa.

The proposed facilities will include fish markets, ice plants, cold stores, processing areas and jetties.

On climate change, CS Joho said the Government was using both nature-based and mechanical interventions to protect fishing communities from emerging threats.

“The State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries is cognizant of the existential threats posed by climate change to the livelihoods and well-being of coastal and freshwater fishing communities,” he said.

In the coastal region, the Government has planted about 2.4 million mangrove saplings and promoted seaweed farming, while early warning systems provide fishing communities with oceanographic information to guide fishing operations.

“These interventions have contributed to reducing cases of fishermen drowning at sea as a result of unpredictable ocean conditions,” said CS Joho.

By Hope Barbra

Sewage pollution, rising water levels, and human and wildlife displacement pose a serious threat to Lake Nakuru National Park.

Members of the National Assembly raised these concerns and demanded urgent intervention.

The MPs called for urgent intervention to address the growing threat posed by rising water levels, sewage pollution, as well as human and wildlife displacement at Lake Nakuru National Park.

The MPs who spoke on Saturday, 10th October, during a site inspection visit to the KWS headquarters at Lake Nakuru National Park were drawn from the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining.

They raised concerns over the potential further mixing of lake water with sewage stabilisation and oxidation ponds, warning that continued flooding could worsen water contamination, damage critical infrastructure and heighten human-wildlife conflict.

Legislators also highlighted the dangers of illegal fishing within the flooded park, including electrocution risks associated with affected power lines.

Concerns were further raised over the reported impact of pollution on tilapia fish and the potential risks to communities that depend on the lake and its surrounding environment.

During the visit, MPs called on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), county governments and relevant ministries to develop a coordinated response to address the environmental and humanitarian crisis in the shortest time possible, citing imminent El Niño rains.

The legislators pressed authorities on the displacement of families, the disruption of education, the loss of lives and livestock, and the need for compensation and resettlement measures.

Hon. Charity Kathambi raised concerns about the reported health implications of water contamination, while Hon. Fatuma Masito and Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu called for specific interventions to support women, young people and displaced families.

Hon. Mbeyu further sought clarification on measures to rebuild affected schools and whether land had been identified for resettling displaced residents.

They also questioned the preparedness of government agencies should further heavy rains occur, warning that continued flooding could deepen the crisis and intensify human-wildlife conflict.

The committee vice-chairperson, Hon. Charles Kamuren, called for an immediate action plan to address the affected sewage treatment infrastructure, urging KWS to move swiftly towards a lasting solution.

In response, KWS said the Government had been undertaking phased compensation for victims, with KSh 23 million earmarked for payment in the 2026/2027 financial year.

The rising water levels of Lake Nakuru have reportedly submerged between 30 and 40 square kilometres of the park, covered more than 24 kilometres of roads, submerged approximately 2,000 acres of park fencing and displaced more than 200 households.

KWS staff quarters and wildlife paddocks have also been affected, forcing animals out of their usual habitats and into neighbouring communities.

The crisis has also raised particular concern over endangered rhinos, whose sanctuary has been affected by the expanding waters. Authorities have reportedly relocated some rhinos to other protected areas to safeguard their survival.

The Chief Conservator of Forests acknowledged the challenges surrounding compensation and said the agency’s move towards digital processing was expected to reduce waiting times for victims.

Hon. Kamuren stressed that affected residents should not be caught between institutional responsibilities, calling for KWS and county governments to adopt a joint approach to resolving human-wildlife conflict and addressing community grievances.

By Habil Onyango

Political goonism and the hiring of youth gangs to disrupt political rallies, civic and empowerment meetings, and polling stations are major threats in various parts of the country.

The goonism culture has always been linked to high youth unemployment and chronic political patronage, which fuel a cycle where politicians hire young men, sometimes for as little as hundreds of shillings or low daily wages, to intimidate rivals, disrupt events and suppress dissent.

This has been common in Homa Bay County, where some politicians hire youths to disrupt their perceived opponents’ rallies and events.

However, for some youths, it is normal to gatecrash various functions without invitations, causing chaos, property damage, harm to others and sometimes death.

Principal Secretary of the State Department of Internal Security, Dr Raymond Omollo, has warned youths against being exploited by politicians to cause violence at rallies and events for their personal gain.

Omollo urged youths to resist being used to ignite chaos at political gatherings as the country approaches the campaign and election period.

“I want to urge our youths to refrain from being misused during the campaigns and election period so that we do not have a situation where they lose their lives or bring knives,” said Omollo.

“Our youths should not allow themselves to be used for chaos or violence at meetings they have not been invited to,” he added.

According to the PS, every politician should be free to present their agenda to voters without interference.

Presidential Order

The Government has launched a nationwide crackdown on goons, political gangs and criminal networks to restore public order ahead of the 2027 general elections.

President William Ruto has repeatedly directed the National Police Service to take firm, impartial action against goons, warning that lawlessness, vandalism and political violence will not be tolerated. The Government is targeting sponsors and financiers, who face individual arrest and prosecution.

In Homa Bay, these efforts led to the arrest of Kassim Sebo Abdi, alias Commander, on the night of 9 August 2026, alongside seven accomplices.

Abdi, a 31-year-old, has been labelled by police as a “chief goon” and has been pursued following deadly violence and property destruction during the Linda Mwananchi political rally in Homa Bay on 16 August 2026.

The attack resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including a police officer, damage to private property and serious injuries to many people. Cars were torched, and others suffered losses in their businesses.

Abdi’s arrest was carried out by officers from Homa Bay Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from Homa Bay Sub-County under the command of County Commander Lawrence Koilem.

The officers executed a warrant issued by the law courts on 14 August 2026, following an alleged assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.

The officers had to shoot into the air to disperse rowdy men who attempted to obstruct Abdi’s arrest, during which they arrested seven of them.

The suspects are Achiando Victor Odhiambo (26), Isaac Masika Muliro (30), Oyege Moses Geoffrey (27), Geoffrey Njore (25), Odhiambo Wesley Arnold (26), Joseph Kobila (28) and Alfred Aliwa (26).

He had previously ignored DCI summonses to appear at the Homa Bay County Headquarters and had gone underground before his arrest on Thursday.

During the night protests over Abdi’s arrest, several shops, including a supermarket’s gas store, were looted.

The latest incident occurred at Homa Bay Raila Odinga Stadium during a Jua Kali empowerment programme sponsored by the Homa Bay Woman Representative, Bensuda Osogo, where goons stormed the event, stealing and destroying various equipment intended for distribution to beneficiaries on 3 August 2026.

Osogo, who hosted the Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Cabinet Secretary, Wycliffe Oparanya, alleged that she narrowly escaped death after being attacked by the organised gang.

“I know there have been some destructions, looting of businesses, property have been burnt around; however, I want us as a community to respect ourselves and other people’s property so that we do not live a life where we give the Police a hard time doing their work,” said the PS.

The PS also condemned the ongoing mob justice, which has been widespread in various parts of Homa Bay.

This comes after the Nyanza Regional Criminal Investigation Officer, George Mutonya, highlighted mob justice as a significant issue in Homa Bay.

Mutonya stated that locals have recently been taking the law into their own hands by lynching suspects before security forces arrive.

According to Omollo, locals should not assume they can take over the roles of the police, emphasising that everyone should have the opportunity and environment to perform their duties effectively.

Omollo spoke at Lambwe Valley, within Suba North Constituency, during a national tree-planting day on 10 August 2026.

By Billy Mijungu

Mazingira Day must be more than tree planting and environmental clean-ups. It must awaken Kenya to an economic frontier that remains underexplored. The environment is not merely a natural resource to conserve; it is economic capital, a source of livelihoods, employment, investment and national prosperity.

The next Government should consider transforming the Ministry of Environment into the Ministry of Environment and Climate Economy. This would signal a fundamental shift in national priorities, integrating environmental protection and climate action into industrialisation, public finance, job creation and sustainable development.

The earth is clapping back. Droughts, floods, erratic rainfall, deforestation, soil degradation and declining biodiversity impose enormous economic costs. Farmers lose harvests, businesses suffer disruptions, infrastructure is damaged and governments divert development resources towards disaster response. Environmental neglect ultimately becomes an expensive national liability.

Our response must begin with restoring rivers, protecting water towers, wetlands and wildlife reserves, reversing deforestation, expanding forest cover and maintaining clean towns. However, conservation must go beyond civic responsibility to become an economic enterprise. Environmental restoration, waste management and sustainable agriculture can generate livelihoods for communities, youth enterprises and investors.

Kenya must accelerate clean energy investments in geothermal, wind, solar and hydropower, supporting manufacturing, irrigation, digital infrastructure and rural businesses. Industries should adopt cleaner technologies, conserve water, improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Credible carbon trading and climate finance can attract investment, provided communities benefit fairly through transparent agreements, secure land rights and accountable revenue-sharing mechanisms.

Our expanding digital economy presents another opportunity. Electronic waste from computers, smartphones, batteries and other gadgets threatens environmental health when improperly discarded. Kenya needs effective collection systems and responsible recycling, supported by manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers.

Repair, refurbishment and component recovery should become thriving businesses. Replacing obsolete components, upgrading hardware and installing supported software can extend device lifespans, lower technology costs and create technical employment. Where reuse is impractical, materials must be safely recovered. This circular economy transforms waste into productive resources rather than allowing it to poison our environment.

Climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, water harvesting, efficient irrigation and improved storage can strengthen food security and protect rural incomes. Government budgets, banks and investors must finance green enterprises, while young people receive affordable credit, technical training, market access and procurement opportunities.

Kenya should leverage its hosting of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to champion stronger global environmental governance, adequately resourced institutions and greater African influence in international climate decisions. Proposals to elevate UNEP’s institutional standing deserve serious diplomatic consideration.

Mazingira Day must inspire permanent action, measurable investments and accountable environmental management. By connecting conservation with innovation, clean energy, recycling and climate finance, Kenya can create industries, dignified jobs and resilient communities.

Protecting the earth is protecting our economy, our livelihoods and our future.