Winnie Odinga: My mother deserves the UNEP role
By Kenneth Mwenda, January 27, 2026Winnie Odinga has expressed pride in her mother, Ida Odinga, following her nomination as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Speaking during a TV interview on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP said her mother’s appointment was a recognition long overdue for decades of public service.
“No, I’m extremely proud of her. The whole family is proud of her,” Odinga said. “She deserves it. She stood on her own for the past 40 years. In fact, before this, the last thing any government or president ever gave her was retiring as a teacher 40 years ago.”
“But she stood firm, loyal, strong, has fought for the rights of women. She’s a geography teacher, has fought for different aspects of this society. She’s a member of the society that I believe many people look up to, and I believe she deserves and has earned it. And I’m extremely, extremely proud of her.”
Winnie Odinga also addressed suggestions that her political views were heavily influenced by her mother. She said while she admires Ida Odinga and often seeks her advice, she makes her own decisions.
“My mother has shaped me in equal measure,” she said. “She’s a strong woman who has done everything in her own right, on her own merit. And she’s somebody I’ve always admired. Looking up to her to advise is a normal thing. We have a normal mother-daughter relationship. But certainly even she cannot control everything that I do.”
Ida Odinga, a respected educationist and civic leader, welcomed the nomination publicly on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Speaking at PEFA Thika, she thanked those who had congratulated her, calling the support “a source of strength and encouragement” during a challenging period following the passing of her husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The nomination positions her at the forefront of Kenya’s international environmental diplomacy. She will take over from Ababu Namwamba, who has been reassigned as Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda. The appointment awaits parliamentary approval.
Winnie defends ODM authority
Earlier in the interview, Winnie Odinga defended the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) against what she described as interference from newer political parties. She argued that ODM’s 20-year history gives it authority and experience that recent parties lack.
“ODM is 20 years old. If a child is born 20 years ago, they are now in university. A party that started two years ago is still in kindergarten. Those are not the ones to tell us where we are,” she said.
Odinga said ODM belongs to its members, not a few individuals at the top, and that all major decisions should go through party structures such as the National Delegates Conference (NDC).
She also addressed questions about her loyalty, noting that her position in EALA reflected the party’s trust in her.
“I am a lifetime member of ODM. I represent the people of Kenya in a regional parliament through my party. That cannot be questioned,” she said.