NAIROBI, Kenya – In late December 2025, Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Odinga, sister to the late Raila Odinga, moved to clarify the marital history of their father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, after a viral video featuring an elderly woman claiming to be his widow sparked controversy.
Clarifying the Record
Dr. Wenwa outlined the official record of Jaramogi’s wives to counter misinformation:
- Mary Juma Ajuma – Jaramogi’s first wife and mother to Raila, Oburu, Ruth, and Wenwa. She passed away in 1984.
- Gaudencia Adeya – the second wife.
- Susan Agik – remembered as one of the last people Jaramogi spoke to before his death in 1994.
- Betty Adongo (Betinga) – the youngest and last wife, who still resides at the family home in Bondo.
Wenwa further explained that while Jaramogi is often described as polygamous, some of these arrangements followed Luo cultural traditions.
In certain cases, a wife could bring a relative into the marriage to avoid perceptions of jealousy, a practice that shaped the family’s structure.
Viral Claims and Family Response
The clarification came after a video circulated online in December 2025 featuring an elderly woman who claimed to be Jaramogi’s “second wife” or “youngest wife.”
The woman made explosive allegations about the paternity of Raila Odinga’s children, Fidel and Winnie, and challenged Mama Ida Odinga over family property.
These claims surfaced at a sensitive time for the Odinga family, who were mourning the death of Raila’s younger sister, Beryl Achieng Odinga, in late November 2025.
Dr. Wenwa dismissed the allegations as “malicious” and “baseless,” stressing the importance of protecting the family’s integrity and ensuring that the historical record of Jaramogi’s life remains clear.
Her statement sought to shield the family from misinformation and reaffirm the legacy of Kenya’s first Vice President.
