NAIROBI, Kenya — Ida Odinga has spoken publicly for the first time since her appointment as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), describing the role as an honour while opening up about the personal changes she has faced following the death of her husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking to a congregation during a church service on Sunday, Mama Ida said she was grateful for the messages of goodwill she has received since President William Ruto named her to the diplomatic post last week.
“To me it is an honour, and I am happy about it,” she said, adding that she remains steadfast despite the challenges that have come with heightened public attention.
The veteran educationist acknowledged that life has changed significantly since Raila Odinga’s death in October 2025, noting that she is now frequently introduced as the former premier’s widow — a label she says has taken some getting used to.
Ida, who is a Canon in the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), also spoke about the surge in media focus surrounding her life, saying she has chosen to face the attention with faith.
“Every time I switch on the television, they are talking about me. Every time I buy the newspaper, it is ‘Ida Odinga’. But I don’t fear anything; God is with me,” she told the congregation.
President Ruto appointed Ida to the UNEP role on January 23, filling a vacancy left by Ababu Namwamba, who was reassigned as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda.
In announcing the appointment, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei described Mama Ida as a distinguished educationist, civic leader and long-time advocate for social justice and gender equity.
Ida Odinga began her professional career as a teacher at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi before later joining Kenya High School, where she taught for over a decade, earning respect as an educator and mentor.
Her appointment places her at the heart of global environmental diplomacy, representing Kenya at UNEP’s headquarters in Nairobi — a role expected to draw on her decades of public service and civic engagement.
