Piece by: Luke Awich

22 July 2023

• Ogeta said he was driven to Nairobi Area police station and later blindfolded and taken to an empty room where he stayed since Wednesday.

•Ogeta who spoke on Saturday noted that they were more concerned with Raila's whereabouts and demos plans.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga's bodyguard, Maurice Ogeta has recounted his ordeal in the hands of police after three days of detention.

Ogeta who spoke on Saturday noted that they were more concerned with Raila's whereabouts and demos plans.

Ogeta who was released on Saturday morning after being held in undisclosed room for three days said he was asked about Raila's route plan during the demonstrations for a record 20 times.

Speaking for the first time on Radio Namlolwe since his arrest, Ogeta said he was driven to the Nairobi Area police station and later blindfolded and taken to an empty room where he stayed since Wednesday.

He could only see the ceiling of the room, he narrated.

During his solitary stay in the room, Ogeta said he stayed without food and was visited by two groups of people who introduced themselves as DCI officers.

"They demanded the route plan almost 20 times and I told them my boss was unwell and I wasn't sure if he (Raila) will even come out for the demonstrations but they continued pressing me to tell them his whereabouts, which I said I was unaware because I was just heading to the office," Ogeta narrated.

"They questioned me about the guns and my boss' plans for the protests... I think my arrest and detention was about Jakom's (Raila) whereabouts and the route plan."

On Saturday around 1 am, Ogeta said he was taken out of the room by hooded gunmen to Ruai where he was dropped.

The officers in gloves and avoiding physical contact with him showed him his car and told him to go home.

"I asked them where I was because I couldn't locate where I was but one of them dismissed me saying you will just find your way."

During his detention, Ogeta said he recorded a statement and upon release, he was given an inventory of what was allegedly found in the car to sign.

"When I was being released they brought an inventory of what was found in the vehicle which I signed but with reservation as the content of the vehicle was not accurately captured," he said without explaining.

Ogeta thanked Kenyans, his family, and the former Prime Minister for standing with him during the three days of detention.