Ida Odinga, Kenya's ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme, has rejected calls to enter politics ahead of the 2027 general election. She addressed speculation by attributing her recent silence to mourning her late husband, Raila Odinga. She describes herself as an industrialist, not a politician.
Ida Odinga spoke to the press on Monday, April 13, confirming she has no plans to contest any elective position in Kenya.
"Just as we said, I have been silent for some time. When I lost my husband, Honourable Raila Odinga, I was still in the state of mourning, which was very important to me," Ida stated.
"Therefore, I was not able to come out and participate in any political arrangement that you people are talking about," she added.
She noted that her family includes politicians like daughter Winnie Odinga and brother-in-law Oburu Oginga, but she has chosen a different path. She will continue in her diplomatic role as Kenya's representative to the United Nations Environment Programme amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, where Winnie has increased her involvement in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
