Philip Juma: Meet The Late Raila's Longest Serving Driver Who Was Hardly Mentioned During Raila's Burial Ceremony

ODM Director of Communications, Philip Etale, has drawn public attention to one of the lesser-known figures who played a vital role in the life of the late Raila Odinga — his longest-serving driver, Philip Juma, popularly known as Omwami. 

Through a heartfelt post shared on his official Facebook page, Etale revealed touching details about Juma, a man who served the former Prime Minister with dedication and loyalty for many years.

Etale recalled that he first met Juma in the year 2000, coincidentally on the same day he met Raila Odinga himself. The two moments, he said, remain deeply significant in his memory. 

Accompanying his words was a photo of Etale and Juma, taken on the morning of Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Raila’s home in Bondo. Etale noted that he had visited the Odinga family residence to comfort Mama Ida Odinga just days after the burial of his late boss.

“Baba’s longest serving driver Philip Juma (Omwami). I first met him in 2000, the same day I met my late leader. May the soul of Baba find peace in the heavens,” Etale captioned the post, paying tribute both to Raila and to the man who faithfully chauffeured him across the country for decades.

During Raila’s funeral ceremony in Bondo, Juma’s name was notably absent from the list of individuals mentioned for their long service. Only a few close aides, such as his longtime bodyguard Maurice Ogeta and his personal doctor, were publicly acknowledged. 

Etale’s post has since sparked emotional reactions online, with many Kenyans praising him for honoring an unsung hero who quietly served one of Kenya’s most influential leaders.