President William Ruto has formally appointed Ida Odinga, the spouse of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

In a Gazette Notice dated Friday, February 27, 2026, issued pursuant to Article 132(2) of the Constitution, the president confirmed her appointment.

“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Article 132 (2) (e) of the Constitution of Kenya, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint IDA BETTY ODINGA, CANON (DR), as Ambassador and Permanent Representative in the Foreign Service of the Republic of Kenya. Dated the 27th February, 2026.”

Ida’s parliamentary approval

This comes days after the National Assembly overwhelmingly voted to approve the recommendation by the National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, chaired by Nelson Koech, which had forwarded her name to the House for consideration. Members of Parliament voted in her favour during the plenary session.

MPs led by the Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, showered the widely known “Min Piny” with praise, highlighting her contributions to the country.

Junet Mohamed, the Suna East MP, used the opportunity to criticise a section of Kenyans who had been politicising the appointment, urging them to stop. He stated that Ida Odinga has served Kenya in many capacities and is the kind of leader who shows up whenever the country calls upon her.

He highlighted her past contributions to the country, including her active participation in the fight for democracy and the sacrifices she endured. He urged the National Assembly to consider Mama Ida Odinga for the high-level appointment without political interference.

“I want to take this opportunity in this house to disabuse some section of Kenyans, Mister Speaker, who always link every appointment that is made in this country to politics,” he stated.

“Mama Aida is not looking for a salary. She’s not looking for an allowance. She is taking up this job to serve Kenya so that she can be remembered as a woman who has served her country when she was called to that, Mr Speaker, to that job.”

Ida’s appointment

Ida Odinga is now set to replace Ababu Namwamba, who had been serving in the same capacity but has since been appointed Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, replacing Joash Maangi, who has held the role since his appointment in 2023.