Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi on Saturday, April 12, revealed that he was once locked up in Kamiti Maximum Prison during his campus days.
Speaking at Ramba High School in Siaya during the funeral ceremony of George Oduor, an aide to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Wandayi recounted his time behind bars with the late Oduor due to their allegiance to Raila.
Wandayi stated that during the clamour for political reforms in 1997, led by Raila, he was arrested alongside Oduor and other youth comrades by police officers.
“You know, those days when you were a youth under Baba, being arrested was very normal. You would be arrested every other day. In 1997, I found myself arrested together with George (Oduor), and we spent almost ten days at Kilimani Police Station. Back then, there was no time limit for being incarcerated,” Wandayi stated.
“Later on, we found ourselves at Kamukunji Police Station and eventually ended up in Kamiti, where we stayed with George (Oduor) and other comrades. In Kamiti, we spent about five months with him,” he expressed.
At the time, university students, particularly from the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University, and Egerton University, were critical players in the reform struggle.
Their contributions involved street protests and demonstrations, which were often violently suppressed, publishing radical newsletters and magazines to mobilize opinion, and forming alliances with civil society groups.
Wandayi admitted that during that period, Oduor’s loyalty to Raila was evident, as he remained steadfast despite threats and intimidation by the authorities. “George remained very, very firm and committed while we were in Kamiti,” Wandayi recalled.
The Energy CS further credited George’s trustworthiness and integrity to his boss, revealing that Raila trusted him with deep secrets, sensitive information, and the responsibility of conducting critical affairs of the Prime Minister's office.
Oduor died at Nairobi Hospital on the evening of Wednesday, April 2, after being hospitalised for two weeks. He had been a close associate of Raila for many years, often seen as his bodyguard, and was a familiar figure at Raila’s events and engagements.
He served as an aide to Raila for over two decades and was lauded for his constant availability and assistance to the former PM.
In the wake of his passing, the former Prime Minister mourned his long-time personal aide and bodyguard as a " dependable rock" following his death.
In a heartfelt statement, Odinga described Oduor as more than just a bodyguard, stating that he was a trusted confidant and a pillar of support for his family for decades. He praised Oduor for his hard work, loyalty, and strong character, which he says made him a reliable support through both difficult and successful times.
Odinga expressed deep sorrow over George's loss, saying he will miss Oduor. He extended condolences to Oduor’s widow, Carol George, his family, colleagues, and friends.
