ODM Party leader Raila Odinga has paid a moving tribute to his long-serving bodyguard and confidant, George Oduor Nyangira, who passed away on April 2 in a Nairobi hospital. In an emotional remembrance, Raila described George as “a man of impeccable character innocent, sincere, generous, and trustworthy.”
George, who officially became Raila’s bodyguard in 1995, had been a vital part of the pro-democracy movement since the early 1990s. He started out as a member of the youth team that provided security for Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and other FORD leaders like Paul Muite, James Orengo, and Wamalwa Kijana, operating from Nairobi’s Agip House. His loyalty to the cause remained unshaken, even as others defected during politically volatile times.
“He never backed down, even when the price was arrest and imprisonment,” Raila said, recalling how George was detained for nearly a year at Kamiti Maximum Prison in the run-up to the 1997 elections over alleged links to the “No Reforms, No Elections” campaign — charges Raila insists were baseless.
When Jaramogi passed in 1994, George was one of six young men entrusted with escorting the body to Bondo. “Even in grief, George was composed—firm with the crowds, respectful, and calm under pressure,” Raila noted.
George’s role evolved over time, becoming not just a bodyguard but a trusted aide who handled sensitive information and important documents with utmost discretion. Trained professionally in South Africa and Israel, George earned praise for his alertness and sharp instincts.
“Most security aides focus only on their principals. But George took time to know and understand my people. He was part of my family in every way,” Raila said.
Despite declining health, George remained dedicated to his duties, embodying a spirit of unwavering service until the very end. His death, Raila said, marks the end of an era — but also the celebration of a life defined by humility, vigilance, and loyalty.
George Oduor is survived by family and friends who knew him not just as a protector, but as a pillar of strength and grace.
