You see, there are people who are just built differently. They wield immense power in their silence, yet carry their power with extreme grace.
They know that their word alone could sway a million decisions due to proximity to raw power, but they use their soft power with utter measuredness.
They know they can build or ruin reputations, harass people and exert their authority, yet their knowledge of the power within them makes them so clam.
George Oduor was one such human. It takes a very rare personality to be able to stand by your boss and friend for almost 35 years: unyielding, unbowed, and unfettered.
George has been the true depiction of “Till death do us part”. He has spent his years putting his life on the line for the political idol of our generation, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. I don’t want to imagine the number of times he has stared at death coming so close to him or his boss.
I say this because a keen look at Jakom’s political journey, full of risk-taking and being a daring leader, will show a man who never missed by his side. GEORGE WAS THERE.
He has been there to see Jakom tear-gassed in maandamanos… There to witness as Jakom lost his cool sometimes… There to watch friends who turned to be traitors… There to experience Baba in his lowest moments when he probably wailed in agonizing pain… There to shield Raila from attacks on the political battle fronts.
What has this man not witnessed? What has he not seen? Yet this man, a whole library, one who would have shared about encounters with the enigma up close, now lies in death.
Who knows how many times George may have been offered crazy cash to compromise Jakom’s security but turned it down for loyalty’s sake? Who can tell us the way Jakom reacts to his stolen elections by experiencing up close? Will we ever know?
Death has this harrowing arrogance that is dumbfounding. It chides humans hurtfully to a point it almost seems to be saying, “I can take the strong when I please, and harvest the meek when I choose”. It has grimly reaped a great man once more. George has rested.
I have been privileged to know this good man for close to 16 years, since my first encounter with Baba. He was always kind. He never got absorbed in the pushing and shoving around Raila. He kept a level head always: when Baba was in government and even when Baba was government.
He attracted deep respect because of his candor and kindness. Now he rests in the sleep of death. What a man! What a tragic loss for Jakom. What a loss for us who loved him and built a bond with him around Jakom.
George was no longer a mere aide but family. He held the closest secrets and experienced the enigma in his weakest and strongest moments.
And only a person who sees men in their lowest can vouch for their true character. George witnessed to me about Raila’s goodness severally in our conversations.
Go well, George. May the universe reward your loyalty and kindness by securing your legacy and insuring the future of your children and generations. May history be kind to your sacrifices.
When I finally write my biography at time T, as my brother Steve Ombasa loves to say, I will mention you severally and intentionally because there were seldom engagements with Baba where you missed locally and abroad.
