It Is an Honour: Mama Ida Odinga Accepts Ruto’s UNEP Nomination

Mama Ida Betty Odinga has officially accepted her nomination as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), describing the appointment as an honour.

Speaking during a dedication ceremony at the PEFA Church along Thika Road on Sunday, January 25, 2026, Canon Dr. Ida Odinga expressed gratitude following her nomination by President William Ruto.

“Thank you so much to those who have congratulated me for this new appointment. For me, it is an honour and I’m happy about it,” she said.

President Ruto nominated Mama Ida to the UNEP role under the powers vested in the Head of State, with the nomination already transmitted to Parliament for consideration and approval. Parliamentary vetting is mandatory for all Foreign Service appointments under the Constitution.

If approved, Mama Ida Odinga will replace Ababu Namwamba, who has been reassigned as Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda. The nomination forms part of President Ruto’s ongoing diplomatic reshuffle, which has seen several appointments and transfers across Kenya’s missions abroad.

Despite heightened public attention following the announcement, Mama Ida said she remains calm and grounded in faith.

“These days, every time I switch on the TV, I see they are talking about me. I read the newspapers, and they are talking about me. But I don’t fear because God is with me. I encourage everyone that when you are in trouble, read Psalms 23, and things will be alright,” she said.

Mama Ida Odinga is a respected educationist, civic leader, and long-time advocate for social justice and gender equity. She began her professional journey as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi before joining Kenya High School, where she served for over a decade.

According to the nomination statement, her years in the classroom “nurtured a deep-rooted and enduring commitment to education.”

Widely recognised for her lifelong dedication to public service and women’s empowerment, Mama Ida was the lifelong companion of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, C.G.H., who passed away on October 15, 2025.

“Her life’s work stands as a testament to the highest ideals of selfless service, defined by courage, sacrifice, grace under fire, and an unceasing commitment to advancing women’s education and empowerment,” the statement reads.

Her activism dates back to the early 1990s during Kenya’s transition from a single-party state to multiparty democracy. She played a pivotal role in advocating for political reforms and served as the founding Chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters, championing democratic change and equality.

Beyond civic engagement, Mama Ida has also contributed to the private sector, including leadership roles in family-owned enterprises such as East African Spectre, a liquefied gas cylinder manufacturing company.

Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including two Honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) degrees and Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), awarded in 2018. She has also received the Trailblazer Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Achievers Foundation.

Leaders and stakeholders have congratulated Mama Ida Odinga on her nomination, describing her as a trailblazer poised to make a meaningful impact in advancing Kenya’s environmental and sustainable development agenda on the global stage.