President William Ruto has nominated Dr. Ida Odinga, the late Raila Odinga’s widow, for the position of Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The nomination has been formally transmitted to the National Assembly for approval, as required by the Constitution for Foreign Service appointments.
Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service, commended Mama Ida as a distinguished educationist, civic leader, and advocate for social justice and gender equity. She is widely known for her contributions to education, having begun her career as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School and later at Kenya High School, where she spent more than a decade.
Her advocacy for women’s education, empowerment, and gender equity, along with her role in promoting freedom of expression and democratic reforms, has been central to her career. In the early 1990s, she helped lead the League of Kenya Women Voters, advancing the transition to a multiparty democracy.
Mama Ida’s influence extends beyond Kenya. She is recognized as a credible voice for Africa and has provided leadership in family businesses such as East African Spectre, which manufactures liquefied gas cylinders. Her impact on Kenya’s energy sector is notable, as is her continued support for women, children, and vulnerable communities.
She has received numerous accolades, including two honorary Doctor of Letters degrees and Kenya’s highest civilian honor, the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), awarded in 2018. Additionally, she has been recognized with the Trailblazer Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Achievers Foundation.
If approved by Parliament, her appointment is expected to elevate Kenya’s voice in environmental diplomacy and reinforce its leadership role in global environmental issues, particularly through its hosting of UNEP.
