Raila Odinga's bodyguard freed, Etale says

ODM party leader Raila Odinga, conversing with his bodyguard on October 4, 2020, in Kawangware Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Maurice Ogeta the bodyguard of Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has been freed according to Phillip Etale.

Etale is the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) Communications Director while Odinga is ODM's party leader.

Through his Twitter account, Etale claimed that Ogeta was moved from where he was being held and transported to Kangundo Road where he was dumped.

"Maurice Ogeta, the bodyguard of Raila Odinga was released from police custody a few minutes to 1:00am [Saturday] and driven while blindfolded and left in the middle of the road in Ruai towards Kangundo," tweeted Etale.

"His car is vandalized. However, he is happy to be alive but still distraught & in shock."

Lawyers representing Ogeta moved to court where they obtained orders compelling the police to release him.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi ordered the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to produce Ogeta before any court in the country.

The case was filed by Christopher Ogettah, who claimed that Ogeta had been held for 36 hours after he was allegedly abducted by the police.

"Pending the hearing and determination of this application inter-parties, a writ of habeas corpus (production of a person alive or dead) is hereby issued directing the second respondent (Koome) to produce Maurice Ogeta before a court of competent jurisdiction in Nairobi or any other court within the Republic of Kenya for an inquiry into the issue of his detention," Justice Mugambi directed.

Further, the judge ordered that his orders should be served to the IG by the close of business yesterday.

Ogeta's lawyer Jackson Awele argued that Koome was aware of his whereabouts.

Awele stated that Ogeta was abducted on Tuesday while going to work.

Ogeta was stopped and bundled into the boot of his vehicle by the people who then drove away to an unknown destination.

The vehicle stalled and the abductors got to him to restart it before returning him to the boot and driving away.