For years, political narratives have often painted former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as austere. However, recent accounts from his inner circle are illuminating a different, more private persona: that of a calculated and quiet philanthropist.

This emerging picture suggests that Mr. Odinga's most significant contributions have deliberately been kept off the record, directly impacting the financial stability of his closest employees and benefiting communities without public fanfare. This challenges a long-held political critique that he was not generous.

The Mandate of Silence

Dennis Onsarigo, who served as Press Secretary for Odinga's 2022 presidential campaign, has provided a compelling account of this philosophy. Onsarigo noted that the campaign team once battled the public perception of Odinga being a "mean guy" and even urged him to publicise his charitable works to counter the narrative.

Mr. Odinga's response was firm. "He was 'very categorical' that his charitable acts should not be announced," Onsarigo recounted, explaining that the former PM was not interested in a "cheap political score." According to Onsarigo, Odinga would often send his aides with millions of shillings for donations, with the strict instruction not to make the contributions public, believing it would defeat the purpose of the gesture.

A Legacy in Livelihoods

While concrete details on the wealth of his staff remain private, the stability of his long-serving employees is often cited as indirect proof of his generosity. The late George Oduor, a loyal bodyguard who served the Odinga family for decades, is a case in point. After his passing in April 2025, images of his impressive rural home in Bondo countered social media rumours that he had lived in poverty, stunning many observers.

Another long-serving aide, Maurice Ogeta, was also reported to have invested successfully over his career. These instances are now being framed by insiders not as isolated cases, but as the result of a leader's intentional, yet unpublicised, policy of ensuring his team was well-cared for.

A Calculated Approach

This principle of private support appears to be a core tenet of Mr. Odinga's character. Youth activist Kasmuel McOure recently shared that the smallest amount he ever received from Odinga was KES 100,000 and recalled receiving approximately $8,000 (approx. KES 1.03 million) to facilitate a trip to the United States. Such accounts paint a picture of a leader who made calculated decisions to empower individuals directly, away from the glare of cameras.

As analysts and the public reassess his long career, these revelations about his private conduct are adding a new, complex layer to the legacy of one of Kenya's most enduring political figures.