Signs of tension have reportedly emerged 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), a high-profile position headquartered in Nairobi.
The announcement, made on Friday, appears to have taken some family members by surprise, sparking internal concerns over how the decision was reached and whether key relatives were consulted beforehand. What began as a private family issue soon found its way into the public eye.
Raila Odinga Jnr, son of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, was the first to hint at discomfort. In a short social media post that he later deleted, he suggested that pressing family issues needed to be discussed with his uncle, Senator Oburu Odinga. The post quickly fueled speculation about unease within the household.
Clarifying his position, Junior said he was not trying to stir political debate but was simply seeking a family discussion. He confirmed that Oburu Odinga had agreed to call an urgent family meeting, although the proposed timing was later than he had hoped for.
Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother and a seasoned politician, has since stepped in to steady the situation. As a respected family elder and senior ODM figure, his involvement is seen as crucial in easing tensions and safeguarding the family’s public image.
Mama Ida Odinga, who has a long history in community work and women empowerment initiatives, has remained silent on the matter. While her supporters insist she is well-qualified for the UNEP role, critics continue to raise questions about political dynasties and state appointments.
To many Kenyans, the situation highlights a familiar truth: even influential families are not immune to internal disagreements. As one observer casually noted at a local kibanda, politics often follows people right into their homes.
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