President William Ruto has nominated the Late Raila Odinga’s wife, Mama Ida Odinga, as the Kenyan Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In a communique on Friday, January 23, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the nomination has been forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
“His Excellency The President has, in exercise of the prerogative vested in the Head of State and Government, caused the nomination of Canon Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, E.G.H., for appointment as Ambassador / Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),” read the statement in part.
Koskei said Mama Ida is a distinguished educationist, civic leader, and an acclaimed advocate for social justice and gender equity.
“She began her professional journey as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi, and later at Kenya High School, where over a decade in the classroom nurtured a deep-rooted and enduring commitment to education, inspiring and guiding successive generations of future leaders,” said Koskei.
The Head of Public Service noted that Mama Ida Odinga’s 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.
“In her own right, she has stood resolutely against authoritarianism and injustice, championed freedom of expression, advanced gender equity, and promoted education as a cornerstone for inclusive national development” he stated.
Koskei also noted that Mama Ida has contributed her leadership to family enterprises, including East African Spectre, a liquefied gas cylinder manufacturing company in Kenya.
“Her Appointment to this role, subject to the requisite parliamentary approval, is expected to amplify Kenya’s voice on environmental issues and further reinforce the country’s longstanding leadership in environmental diplomacy, as well as its pivotal role as host of the UN’s principal environmental authority,” Koskei added.
Mama Ida’s nomination comes a day after President Ruto reassigned former Kenyan Ambassador to UNEP Ababu Namwamba to be the Kenyan High Commissioner to Kampala, Uganda.
