NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has nominated Canon Dr Ida Betty Odinga to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a key diplomatic post anchored in Nairobi.
The nomination has been forwarded to Parliament for vetting and approval, as required under the Constitution for all foreign service appointments.
If approved, Mama Ida Odinga will represent Kenya at the world’s leading environmental authority at a time when climate action and sustainable development have become central to global diplomacy.
A Life Shaped by Education and Public Service
Mama Ida Odinga is widely regarded as a veteran educationist, civic leader, and long-time advocate for social justice and gender equity.
She began her professional career as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School before transferring to Kenya High School, where she taught for over a decade. According to the nomination statement, her years in the classroom helped instil a “deep-rooted and enduring commitment to education.”
Beyond teaching, she has spent decades working to expand access to education, particularly for girls and young women.
Democracy, Activism, and Women’s Empowerment
Her public profile rose sharply in the early 1990s during Kenya’s transition from single-party rule to multiparty democracy. At the time, she played a visible role in the push for political reforms and gender inclusion.
She later became the founding Chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters, a platform that championed democratic participation, accountability, and women’s rights. Since then, her advocacy has consistently focused on improving the lives of women, youth, children, and vulnerable communities.
Mama Ida Odinga was the lifelong partner of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, C.G.H., who passed away on October 15, 2025.
Business Leadership and Global Recognition
In addition to civic engagement, she has held leadership roles in the private sector, including involvement in family enterprises such as East African Spectre, a liquefied gas cylinder manufacturing firm that has contributed to Kenya’s energy sector.
Her work has earned both local and international recognition. She holds two Honorary Doctor of Letters degrees and was awarded Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), in 2018. Other accolades include the Trailblazer Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Achievers Foundation.
Strengthening Kenya’s Environmental Diplomacy
Analysts say her nomination is expected to bolster Kenya’s influence in global environmental diplomacy, especially given that Nairobi hosts UNEP’s headquarters.
“The appointment is expected to amplify Kenya’s voice on environmental issues and further reinforce the country’s longstanding leadership in environmental diplomacy,” the nomination document notes.
The role is seen as strategic as Kenya seeks to position itself as a leading voice on climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development at the international level.
Awaiting Parliamentary Approval
The nomination now awaits parliamentary scrutiny and approval. If cleared, Mama Ida Odinga will take up the role as Kenya advances its environmental agenda on the global stage.
Observers note that the appointment reflects both confidence in her leadership and a broader effort to elevate women’s participation in diplomacy, building on her lifelong advocacy for education and gender equity.
