Should Ida Odinga accept Ruto’s nomination for appointment as Kenya’s UNEP representative?
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 25, 2026The nomination of Ida Odinga, the widow of the late Raila Odinga, to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) position has sparked mixed reactions.
While many view it as an honour and have congratulated the President for this gesture, seen as an attempt to console her following the death of her husband, who passed away months ago while undergoing treatment in India, others argue that a plum ambassadorial role may not truly be an honour but rather a demotion of her stature in the country, urging her not to take up the role.
Ida Odinga has always been regarded in line with the status of her late husband, who contested for the presidency four times since 1997 and, according to some close to him, may have been denied victory in several elections. As a result, she has often been seen as sharing in both his political stature and public influence.
Appointing the wife of a figure who has vied for the presidency multiple times and even served as prime minister to an ambassadorial post can be perceived as a demotion, arguably devaluing her position. Many believe that for someone of her stature, she should perhaps continue her late husband’s legacy and work to realise the vision he left behind.
Ida Odinga’s influence in the Nyanza region surpasses even ministerial positions. She is widely regarded as the “mother” of the Luo community, and local leaders often treat her with immense respect, sometimes bowing or kneeling to greet her.
Yet now, she is nominated to replace the current Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba, who once served as ODM Secretary-General and took instructions from her late husband, Raila Odinga.
Ida Odinga’s vetting
What complicates the matter further is that Ida Odinga is required to appear before the National Assembly committee for vetting to determine her suitability and qualifications for the UNEP role. This process could be seen as a further demotion, especially considering that some of the MPs vetting her were, before the 2022 general elections, reportedly seeking meetings at her home to secure ODM tickets.
Even within ODM, some leaders have opposed the nomination. Notably, the party’s deputy leader, Geodfrey Osotsi, advised her not to accept the UNEP appointment, arguing that she is far above such a role.
“We have seen President William Ruto appointing Mama Ida Odinga as Ambassador. We are asking our lovely mama Idah to reject that offer. Idah is very prominent and in an above-ambassador position,” Osotsi said.
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru has also come out to warn her against taking up the role
“Mama, if you are to trust any advice from anyone, then I urge you only to trust these individuals. The rest are sellouts; need I mention them? Stand with the people,” he added.
Manyora’s view
Following Raila Odinga’s burial, political analyst Herman Manyora urged Ida Odinga to maintain a low profile, avoid active politics, and emulate the approach of Mama Ngina Kenyatta after the death of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, in 1978, focusing instead on family and personal matters.
While speaking during an interview on his channel on Monday, October 20, 2025, Manyora noted that, given Raila Odinga’s political stature, the Odinga family should take a similar approach to that of the Kenyatta family by remaining cautious, firm, and discreet in political matters.
He further insisted that Mama Ida should study how Mama Ngina handled herself with silence, caution, and measured firmness during Kenya’s transition to multiparty democracy and how the Kenyatta family later managed to maintain political influence, culminating in Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency.
“If they want to play within the context of Kenyan politics, given who their person was, they should do like Mama Ngina Kenyatta and just study Mama Ngina from 1978, when Mzee Jomo Kenyatta died. Let them just study,” Manyora said.
“The silence, the caution, the firmness, the families – when that was called for, when a decision was arrived at with a multi-party democracy, what role did the Kenyatta family play? How they went and how finally, even Uhuru became president.”
Which way, Ida?
Mama Ida Odinga could have continued to remain as an advisor, counsellor, or reconciler who only steps in to offer guidance whenever the country seems to go astray. Or as a haven where leaders could go to seek direction, rather than taking on a diplomatic role in which she would be accountable to the President, who, in reality, should be taking instructions from her on how to run the country.