Ida Odinga paid tribute to her sister-in-law, Beryl Achieng Odinga, during her burial in Bondo.

Speaking to mourners on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Ida shared personal memories of Beryl, highlighting her generosity, warmth, and spirited nature.

“Let me say something about my sister-in-law, Beryl. It is not easy to talk about Beryl. I first met Beryl when I was at the University of Nairobi. Beryl came in when I was doing my third year,” Ida said.

“She was a pretty girl. She was eloquent, full of life. Anything, everything goes for Beryl. But then, Beryl also happened to have been Raila’s sister. By then, we were not married with Raila. And she was friendly to everybody and very generous.”

Ida recounted a vivid example of Beryl’s generosity.

“She used to come to my room to talk to me. And Beryl had a battalion of friends. So many that you could not keep pace. And one funny thing that Beryl did at that time. One time there was a wedding in town. Famous wedding. I’ll not tell you who, but it was a wedding. And everybody had to go to that wedding. I also went to the wedding.”

“But as well at the wedding, in the evening there was dancing. And she was a good dancer too, you’ve been told. And I saw somebody wearing a dress just like mine. Exactly like mine. And I was wondering, this dress looks like mine. I made this dress. Those times we used to teach our own clothes sometimes.”

“In the end, when we went back, I told her, Achieng, I saw somebody, and I think that was your friend, wearing a dress like mine. And she said, you know, she didn’t have something nice to wear. So I went to your wardrobe. I took your dress and gave her. And that’s what she was wearing. She was so generous that, and so free with her friends. That was Beryl.”

Kalonzo recalls Beryl Odinga

Kalonzo Musyoka, who also studied with Beryl at the University of Nairobi, shared his memories during the funeral. He explained why he never considered dating her, despite being classmates.

“My history with this family began even before I came to know Raila, because this sister lying here today, Beryl, was in the same class with me at the University of Nairobi, although I later noticed that she had been born in March, while I was born in December. So we are correct age mates,” Kalonzo said.

Kalonzo praised Beryl for her humility and strong upbringing.

“Even there in law school, we saw from her style and character that she had had a very good upbringing, because she never showed that she was Jaramogi’s daughter. We did not know that, and we even finished that period of school without knowing that Beryl was actually the daughter of the Vice President. She was completely at ease with us,” he added.

He also remembered Beryl’s love for dancing.

“And it is also known that she loved dancing. My sister Sally Kosgei, who is also in this audience, was her dancing mate. We have heard that even when they met later in Zimbabwe, they still shared that bond,” he said.

“So I had no chance in dating her, and I never even tried. But we thank God that we were able to serve together. And this sister served the African continent. If you look carefully, there have been photos of her with the President of Zimbabwe,” Kalonzo admitted.

Beryl Achieng Odinga passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, weeks after the death of her brother, Raila Odinga. She left behind her children Ami, Auma, Chizi, and Taurai.