By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, Janaury 25 2026 - Canon Dr Ida Odinga has formally welcomed her nomination as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), describing the appointment as both humbling and deeply meaningful.
Speaking on Sunday during a dedication service at the PEFA Church along Thika Road, Mama Ida thanked Kenyans for the warm messages she has received since President William Ruto forwarded her name for the diplomatic role.
“I am grateful to everyone who has congratulated me. For me, this is an honour, and I am happy about it,” she said, drawing applause from congregants.
President Ruto nominated Mama Ida under his constitutional authority, with the appointment now awaiting scrutiny and approval by Parliament. If endorsed, she will represent Kenya at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, at a time when the country is pushing for stronger global action on sustainable development and environmental protection.
She is set to replace Ababu Namwamba, who has been reassigned as Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda, as part of a wider diplomatic reshuffle by the President.
Despite the intense public interest surrounding her nomination, Mama Ida said she remains calm and grounded in faith.
“Everywhere I turn, people are talking about me – on television and in the newspapers. But I do not fear. God is with me,” she told the congregation, encouraging Kenyans to find comfort in prayer during difficult moments.
Mama Ida brings decades of public service experience to the role. A respected educationist, she began her career as a teacher at Highway Secondary School before moving to Kenya High School, where she spent more than ten years mentoring young women.
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Her work in education laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to social justice, women’s empowerment and civic leadership. In the early 1990s, she was at the forefront of Kenya’s pro-democracy movement and later became the founding chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters, advocating for political reform and gender equality.
Beyond activism, she has also held leadership roles in the private sector, including family-owned enterprises.
Widely honoured for her contributions, Mama Ida holds two honorary doctorate degrees and was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) in 2018, Kenya’s highest civilian honour. She has also received lifetime achievement and trailblazer awards from local and international bodies.
She is the widow of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in October 2025, and is often praised for her resilience and quiet strength.
If approved by Parliament, Mama Ida Odinga will take up the UNEP role at a pivotal moment for global environmental diplomacy, with leaders expressing confidence that her experience and values will add weight to Kenya’s voice on the international stage.
