Ida Odinga kicks off tour of diplomatic duty at UNEP
By Cynthia Lodite, March 26, 2026Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to UNON and UNEP, Ababu Namwamba has officially welcomed Dr Ida Betty Odinga on an official tour of duty at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) office.
In a post on his official Facebook account on Thursday, March 26, 2026, he announced his support for Ida Odinga as she gets ready to commence her tour of diplomatic duty.
“Earlier today, I met Her Excellency Dr Canon Idah Betty Odinga to commence the process of welcoming her to the United Nations as Kenya’s incoming Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP),” Ababu said.
At the same time, while affirming his support for Ida, he further acknowledged Mama Idah’s wealth of experience, wisdom and knowledge in further advancing Kenya’s strategic national interests on the global stage.
“Mama Idah is guaranteed our full support as she gets ready to commence her tour of diplomatic duty in the service of our Motherland,” he added.
Meanwhile, according to Ababu, Ida Odinga’s entry into UNEP comes at a historic time of the United Nations at eighty reforms and the monumental challenges facing the very essence of multilateralism.
“With Kenya privileged to be host to one of only four United Nations headquarters in the world, the KENYA Mission to UNON & UNEP is looking forward to benefiting from Mama Idah’s wealth of experience, wisdom and knowledge in further advancing Kenya’s strategic national interests on the global stage, especially at a time of the historic UN@80 reforms and the monumental challenges facing the very essence of multilateralism,” he noted.
Ida UNEP job
President William Ruto nominated former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga, as a Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya.
The Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, confirmed the appointment in a statement on Friday, January 22, 2026.
“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).”
Weeks later, she appeared before a parliamentary committee for vetting following her nomination as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
At the time, marking a key step in the parliamentary approval process for her ambassadorial appointment, she outlined her vision for representing Kenya at UNEP.
Worth noting, she is yet to take the oath of office before officially taking up the role.