In a voice heavy with emotion, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga recounted the painful and private battles of his late sister, Beryl Achieng Odinga, who passed away on November 25 after a long fight with cancer. His eulogy painted a vivid picture of a life marked by resilience in the face of profound personal hardship.

The memorial mass at Consolata Catholic Church in Nairobi brought together family and political allies, all gathered to mourn a woman who lived largely outside the political spotlight her family commands. For many Kenyans, Oburu's words were the first account of the storms Beryl weathered, particularly a tumultuous first marriage that required the frequent intervention of her brothers.

"She got married to Ambala when she was still a student at the University of Nairobi. Their marriage was a bit turbulent," Oburu shared with the mourners. "My late brother Raila and I had to come in so many times to bring peace between them. It appears our efforts did not work much, so they ended up in a divorce."

A Refuge in Zimbabwe

This difficult chapter ultimately led Beryl to leave Kenya for Zimbabwe, a move that redefined her life. As detailed in Raila Odinga's memoir, "The Flame of Freedom," the family facilitated her relocation to help her escape the abusive marriage. In Zimbabwe, she not only found peace but also professional success, becoming the first black town clerk of Mutare, the country's third-largest city. She later remarried and had her third child, Tairei.

Beryl's first husband, Otieno Ambala, a former Gem MP, died in 1985 at Kodiaga Prison. They had two children together, Auma and Chizi.

A Family's Compounded Grief

The loss of Beryl comes as a second devastating blow to the Odinga family, occurring less than two months after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on October 15. Oburu lamented the immense grief of eulogising two siblings in such a short period. "It is a heavy moment for me, losing my brother hardly a month ago and then standing before you to mourn my sister," he expressed.

Beryl's health had prevented her from attending her brother's funeral, a point Oburu had clarified at the time. Her own son, Tairei, read her tribute to Raila, underscoring the deep bond the siblings shared.

• **Born:** 1952
• **Died:** November 25, 2025
• **Children:** Auma, Chizi, and Tairei
• **Key Roles:** Chairperson of Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Town Clerk of Mutare (Zimbabwe).

Beryl Achieng will be laid to rest on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the family home in Kang'o ka Jaramogi, Bondo. Her life, as revealed by her brother, was not merely an extension of a political dynasty, but a quiet testament to a woman's fight for personal peace and professional dignity.