Odinga Family Set for Emergency Meeting After Ruto Appoints Mama Ida to UNEP Role
Tensions appear to be growing within the Odinga family following President William Ruto’s decision to appoint Mama Ida Odinga as Kenya’s Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The appointment, which was announced on Friday, has sparked fresh debate both within the family and inside the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Raila Odinga’s eldest son, Raila Odinga Junior, appeared to be caught off guard by the announcement, raising questions about whether the family was fully consulted before the appointment was made. His reaction suggested that the decision may have come as a surprise to some close family members.
Moments after the news became public, Junior shared a post on social media that he later deleted. In that post, he hinted that there were urgent issues he needed to discuss with his uncle, Oburu Odinga, who is currently the ODM party leader and widely regarded as the family patriarch.
Although he did not clearly state what the issues were, the timing of the post pointed directly to concerns surrounding Mama Ida’s new role.
Shortly afterward, Junior made another public statement, clarifying his position. He stressed that he is not a politician and does not wish to be drawn into political battles.
He revealed that he had spoken to his uncle, who agreed to convene an urgent family meeting scheduled for February 1, although Junior said he would prefer the meeting to happen even sooner. “I’m not a politician. I love everyone and respect everyone.
My uncle has agreed to a family meeting on the 1st; I would like it sooner. I don’t know what is happening. Do not involve me in the politics,” he said, highlighting the emotional and political sensitivity surrounding the appointment.
Since the passing of their father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, both Raila Junior and his sister, Winnie Odinga, have become more vocal about the direction ODM is taking.
They have openly questioned the party’s continued cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), arguing that ODM should assert its independence as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Political observers note that the siblings’ statements and public engagements point to a deeper generational and strategic divide within the party.
On one side are leaders and family members who believe ODM should continue working closely with the government, while on the other are those who feel the party risks losing its identity if it does not chart its own political path.
These tensions were further highlighted during recent political rallies, including the January 18 gathering in Kibra, often referred to as Raila’s political stronghold.
The presence of Junior and Winnie at such events has amplified the sense that the internal disagreements are not just political but also deeply personal, shaped by differing visions for ODM’s future in the absence of Raila’s direct leadership.
At the same time, ODM itself remains divided, with reports of two competing factions within the party. One faction supports party leader Oburu Odinga, while the other is aligned with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. These internal struggles have weakened party unity and fueled public disagreements.
The situation has been made worse by ongoing disputes involving senior party figures, including disagreements between some ODM leaders and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
These clashes center on who should take responsibility for Raila Odinga’s defeat in the 2022 presidential election, an issue that continues to cause friction within the party.
Despite these challenges, both ODM and the ruling UDA have signaled their openness to forming a pre-election alliance ahead of the 2027 polls.
This possible cooperation would build on the post-election agreement the two parties entered into after the fiercely contested 2022 elections.
Meanwhile, Mama Ida Odinga has not yet made a public statement regarding her appointment. Before she can officially take up the role, her nomination must be reviewed and approved by the National Assembly. If approved, she will report to her new post at the UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi.
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