President Ruto Nominates Ida Odinga as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UNEP
President William Ruto has nominated Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, widow of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The nomination was announced through a communiqué issued by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Friday. The President has formally submitted the proposal to the National Assembly for review and approval, as required by the Constitution for appointments in the Foreign Service.
Koskei described Mama Ida – as she is widely known – as a highly respected educationist, civic leader, and passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality.
Her professional journey began as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi, followed by over a decade of teaching at Kenya High School. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to promoting women’s education and empowerment, opposing authoritarianism and injustice, defending freedom of expression, and advancing gender equity.
In the early 1990s, during Kenya’s push for multiparty democracy, Mama Ida played a prominent role as the founding Chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters, helping drive calls for democratic reforms and change.
Since then, she has consistently supported programs that uplift women, children, youth, and marginalized groups. In the private sector, she has held leadership positions in family businesses, including East African Spectre, a company manufacturing liquefied gas cylinders that supports Kenya’s energy sector.
Her influence reaches beyond national borders, where she is regarded as a credible advocate for African issues. In recognition of her contributions, she has been awarded two honorary Doctor of Letters degrees and, in 2018, received Kenya’s highest civilian honor, the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.). She has also been honored with the Trailblazer Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Achievers Foundation.
Koskei stated that, pending parliamentary approval, Mama Ida’s appointment is expected to strengthen Kenya’s voice on global environmental matters. It will further highlight the country’s longstanding leadership in environmental diplomacy and its key role as host to UNEP, the United Nations’ primary environmental agency.
The position became vacant following the reassignment of the previous holder, Ababu Namwamba, who was appointed as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda.
