Ida Odinga bodyguard: Scuffle ends life of ultimate fun lover 'Jaraha'

Barrack Oduor was shot dead on Friday, October 14, 2022 at Kisumu West Sub-County. [Courtesy]

Barrack Oduor loved fun and fun loved him back.

In Kisumu and Siaya counties, the slain bodyguard of Ida Odinga was a regular patron at in-fashion entertainment joints.

Oduor loved his beer, good music and great company.

To cement his fun-loving demeanour, Oduor gave himself the nickname "Barrack Jaraha, thoo kinapo", a Luo phrase to mean "Barrack, the man who loves fun, even when in diapers".

Professionally, Oduor was a police corporal assigned to guard former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's wife, Ida.

Most times, Oduor actively engaged in bodyguard duties when Ida visited Kisumu or Siaya counties.

The Odingas have homes in Nairobi, Kisumu and Siaya counties.

On Friday, October 14, at 3am, Oduor left Dondez Club in Kondele, Kisumu in the company of two other people, Marion Ouma and Donar Kajwang.

The three went to Marion's home located at Victoria Gardens Estate in Riat, Kisumu West Sub-County.

The manager of a popular nightclub in Kisumu County trailed the trio to Riat, police said.

The cause of the conflict that the nightclub manager had with the three remains unclear, though multiple interviews by The Standard indicate that he had a bone to pick with Donar Kajwang, the male friend of Oduor and Marion.

"Oduor did not know that Kajwang and the suspect had differences. Upon reaching Victoria Gardens Estate, the suspect, who was trailing them, confronted Kajwang, resulting in an ugly scuffle," one of Oduor's friends, privy to the happenings, said in confidence.

Oduor is reported to have intervened, resulting in the suspect disarming and, thereafter, shooting him twice in the head and once in the leg, killing him on the spot.

Kajwang, who was the suspect's initial target, sustained a gunshot injury in the leg, and was taken to the Aga Khan Hospital for treatment.

Oduor's body was taken to Star Hospital morgue in Kisumu.

Marion Ouma, who was with Oduor and Kajwang, escaped unhurt, police said.

Several informants told The Standard that Oduor, Kajwang and Marion had spent Thursday night partying at Dondez Club in Kondele.

Kisumu County Police Commander Alphonse Kimanthi said it was Kajwang who had invited the duo to the nightclub.

A staff member of Dondez Club said the three spent the evening drinking, dancing and storytelling before leaving at 3am.

One of Oduor's friends described him as a generous person. "Barrack loved fun. Every time he was in Kisumu, he always invited me for a drink. He was caring, and always ensured that he escorted us home at night," said the friend, who sought anonymity.

The informant further said: "Oduor, however, did not like being in the public limelight."

"If he wasn't in Kisumu, he was in Bondo. In the evenings, he'd spend time at different entertainment joints," added the deceased's friend.

Police say they are looking for the suspect who fatally shot Oduor and thereafter fled with his firearm.

Ida Odinga was not in Kisumu during the incident.

"The victim's killer remains at large, but we have cast our net wide in his search," said Kisumu Police Commander Alphonse Kimanthi.

Another of Ida Odinga's bodyguards, who sought anonymity during interview with The Standard, described the late Oduor as "a man who knew how to perfectly balance his social, work and family life".