Ruto nominates Ida Odinga as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UNEP

President William Ruto has nominated the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s widow, Dr. Ida Odinga, for appointment as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, in a communiqué issued on Friday, stated that the President has formally transmitted the nomination to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, in line with constitutional requirements governing appointments to the Foreign Service.

Koskei described Mama Ida, as she is popularly known, as a distinguished educationist, civic leader and advocate for social justice and gender equity.

He noted that she began her career as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi before later teaching at Kenya High School, where she spent more than a decade in the classroom.

The communiqué notes that Mama Ida's life's work has been marked by a commitment to advancing women’s education and empowerment, as well as standing against authoritarianism and injustice, promoting freedom of expression and championing gender equity.

“In the early 1990s, amid the national clamour to transition from a single-party State to a multiparty democracy, she played a key role in advancing calls for change and democratic reform as the founding Chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters,” noted Koskei, who is also the Chief of Staff.

“Since then, she has consistently championed initiatives that improve the lives of women, children, the youth, and vulnerable communities.”

In the private sector, Mama Ida has provided leadership within family enterprises, including East African Spectre, a liquefied gas cylinder manufacturing company contributing to Kenya’s energy sector.

Her influence, according to the communiqué, extends beyond Kenya, where she is recognised as a credible voice for Africa.

In recognition of her contributions, she has received two honorary Doctor of Letters degrees and, in 2018, was awarded Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.).

She has also received several accolades, including the Trailblazer Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Achievers Foundation.

“Her appointment to this role, subject to the requisite parliamentary approval, is expected to amplify Kenya's voice on environmental issues and further reinforce the country's longstanding leadership in environmental diplomacy, as well as its pivotal role as host of the UN's principal environmental authority,” stated Koskei.