President William Ruto has nominated Canon Dr Ida Betty Odinga, the widow of 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 on Friday by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, who said the President picked Ida in recognition of her decades-long record in public service, especially her work in advancing girls’ education and women’s empowerment.
In the statement, Koskei described her leadership as rooted in courage and a commitment to justice.
“His Excellency the President has nominated Canon Dr Ida Betty Odinga, E.G.H., for appointment as Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),” Koskei said.
Koskei added that Ida has consistently spoken out against injustice and authoritarianism, while pushing for freedom of expression, gender equity and education as a foundation for national development.
The nomination has been forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting and approval, as required before any senior diplomatic appointment is confirmed. If cleared, she will represent Kenya at UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi a globally significant UN office and the only UN headquarters based in a developing country.
Her nomination comes months after the death of her husband, Raila Odinga, who passed away in October last year.
Koskei said the nomination is also part of a wider effort by President Ruto to position Kenya strategically within multilateral institutions, particularly on environmental protection and sustainable development.
Ida’s nomination also follows closely on the heels of a wider diplomatic reshuffle announced earlier this week.
On Wednesday, January 21, President Ruto reassigned Ababu Namwamba Kenya’s initial representative to UNEP to serve as High Commissioner to Uganda.
Namwamba replaced Ambassador Joash Maangi, who has been serving in Kampala since 2024. Maangi has now been redeployed to Brussels, Belgium, where he will represent Kenya to the European Commission.
