- The President of Kenya, William Ruto, has appointed Mama Ida Odinga as ambassador and permanent representative of Kenya in the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
- If the appointment is approved, Mama Ida will represent Kenya at the UN’s international environment office in Nairobi, a role consistent with the country’s focus on climate change measures.
- This nomination highlights Mama Ida’s decades-long record in education, civic leadership, and advocacy for social rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
- In addition to her civic work, Mama Ida has also contributed to Kenya’s private sector, including leadership positions in family organizations such as East African Spectre.
President William Ruto has appointed Mama Ida Odinga as ambassador and permanent representative of Kenya in UNEP.
Source: Twitter
The appointment, which was officially sent to parliament on Friday, January 23, is awaiting the approval of the National Assembly, which will evaluate the former teacher and civic leader before confirming his appointment.
If the nomination is approved, Mama Ida will represent Kenya at the international office of the UN environment in Nairobi.
Felix Koskei, Head of the Office of the President and Head of Public Services, confirmed that the appointment has met all the constitutional requirements for the appointment of Foreign Services.
“Using the authority vested in the Head of State and Government, I have appointed Canon Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, EGH, for appointment as Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP),” says the official announcement.
If the parliament approves, this appointment will place Mama Ida at the center of international environmental diplomacy.
His appointment comes at a time when climate change action and sustainable development are top priorities for Kenya and the wider region.
Mama Ida has been a model of leadership in Kenya for at least the last 30 decades as the lifelong spouse of a former prime minister Raila Odinga until his death in October 2025.
However, his public profile has stood on his own, built on decades of activism, service and leadership, rather than being associated with the former politician.
Mama Ida brings to this position a long public record in education, civic leadership, and the defense of social rights and gender equality.
He started his professional career as a teacher at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi before moving to Kenya High School, where he served more than a decade in the classroom.
More than teaching, Mama Ida emerged as an important civic voice in some important political moments in Kenya.
In the early 1990s, when the country pushed to end one-party rule and support multi-party democracy, Mama Ida played an important role in mobilizing women to demand political reforms.
She served as the Founding Chair of the League of Kenya Women Voters, an organization that was influential in promoting democratic participation and accountability.
Over the years, her advocacy expanded to include women’s education, youth empowerment, and support for vulnerable communities.
In the private sector, Mama Ida has contributed to family organizations, including East African Spectre, a gas cylinder manufacturing company that has contributed to Kenya’s energy sector.
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