President William Ruto has nominated Mama Ida Betty Odinga for appointment as the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The nomination, contained in Presidential Notification of Action No. III of 2026, was announced on Friday by the Executive Office of the President and has been formally transmitted to the National Assembly for vetting and approval, in line with constitutional requirements governing Foreign Service appointments.
Ida Odinga, a Seasoned Educationist and Civic Leader
Ida Odinga is a respected educationist, civic leader, and advocate for social justice and gender equity, whose career spans decades of public service.
She began her professional journey as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School and later at Kenya High School, where she spent more than ten years mentoring and shaping future leaders.
Her lifelong commitment to education has been a defining pillar of her public life, reinforcing her belief in learning as a catalyst for inclusive national development.
Widely known as Mama Ida Odinga, she was the lifelong companion of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away on 15th October 2025.
Beyond her role as a political spouse, she has distinguished herself as an independent voice against authoritarianism and injustice.
Her appointment, once approved by Parliament, is expected to strengthen Kenya’s leadership in global environmental diplomacy and amplify the country’s voice on environmental governance.
Kenya hosts UNEP’s global headquarters in Nairobi, positioning the country as a central player in international environmental policy.
The Executive Office of the President noted that her nomination aligns with Kenya’s longstanding role as host of the United Nations’ principal environmental authority.
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