Kisauni Member of Parliament Rashid Bedzimba at Bunge Tower in Nairobi on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is credited for shaping the careers of many of Kenyans.
He identified promising greenhorns and mentored them to become successful politicians striding the ever shifting terrain.
However, the story of Kisauni Member of Parliament Rashid Bedzimba, is outstanding. Mr Bedzimba, a second term Kisauni MP, first interacted with Mr Odinga at the Naivasha Maximum Security Prison, where he was serving as a General Service Unit (GSU) officer.
At the time, he was guarding Mr Odinga who was in detention, after the attempted 1982 coup.
Residents of Mombasa mourn Raila Odinga outside the County Assembly Buildings in Mombasa on October 16, 2025.
The MP on Thursday revealed that he was inspired by Mr Odinga and later mentored by the veteran opposition leader, to join politics and become a Member of Parliament.
"Former Prime Minister Odinga provided a shoulder for many politicians to become who they are today. I was among those who were inspired and mentored by Mr Odinga. I joined politics because l was inspired by Mr Odinga while in detention," revealed Mr Bedzimba.
"My journey with Mr Odinga began over 35 years ago, when I was serving as a GSU officer in Naivasha Maximum Prison guarding and protecting him during his detention period,after the 1982 coup. He inspired me and later held my hand and mentored me. I am what l am today because of what Raila Odinga did to me," recalled Mr Bedzimba.
He termed Odinga a fallen giant and a political powerhouse who inspired many young people to join politics.
First Lady Mama Rachael Ruto (centre) with Dr Salome Beacco (fourth left) the Principal Secretary State Department for Correctional Services and Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba (left) among other leaders during the Launch of Chandaria Shimo la Tewa Women's Workshop at Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa County on May 15, 2025.
"Mr Odinga was a towering figure who fought for multi-party democracy and the 2010 Constitution. He was also for various freedoms that we enjoy today. His death is a huge loss to this country and Africa. He was such a great leader and friend. We hope the precious memories, legacy, guidance, and leadership will carry on in our hearts," he mourned Odinga.
Bedzimba said Odinga’s character in prison motivated him to later join politics.
Bedzimba first saw Odinga at the Naivasha Maximum Security Prison in 1987,where the latter had been detained without trial,after the 1982 attempted coup by elements of the Kenya Air Force.
In the 1980s, the prison had a tough reputation as a weapon of State repression.
A number of people accused of the failed coup were jailed at the facility.
Bedzimba’s GSU platoon had been posted at the facility to ensure that the political detainees did not escape.
Kisauni Member of Parliament Rashid Bedzimba at Bunge Tower in Nairobi on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
“I would see him [Odinga] every day during my shift. He used to sing freedom mantras, whenever he came out of the cells for breakfast, lunch or dinner,” the MP recalled.
Odinga's mantras touched Bedzimba to the extent that it inspired him even though he worked in an elite paramilitary unit for government.
He recalled that the inspiration he got from the songs Odinga sung at the prison, softened him despite working for the government as a security officer and made him to begin thinking about joining politics.
“Mr Odinga is a person who has sincerely fought for reforms and freedom in this country. His devotion to serve Kenyans was evident when he was being held at Naivasha Prison,” he said.
Bedzimba would quit the force in 1992 and move to the Middle East, where he worked as a security consultant.
Mombasa residents in a procession along Kenyatta Avenue to mourn Raila Odinga on October 16, 2025.
He returned to Kenya in 2001, when Kenya was heading towards the 2002 General Election and Mr Odinga was a crucial member of the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc).
"I joined Mr Odinga's team and Mr Najib Balala, then a Mvita parliamentary aspirant, hired me as his head of security and campaign chief coordinator and after the election. After the elections, because Odinga wanted to mentor me, l was nominated a councilor in the Mombasa Municipal Council on the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),which he led at the time," revealed Mr Bedzimba.
In 2007, Bedzimba who has vast interests in real estate and transport, successfully run for the Mjambere ward seat in the larger Kisauni constituency on an ODM ticket.
Five years later, in 2013, he was elected Kisauni MP and he credits his party leader Mr Odinga for holding his hand.
Bedzimba returned to parliament in 2022, after a five-year hiatus. Bedzimba one of the ODM MPs from the Coast, is a close ally of Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho.
