In a family defined by the thunder of Kenyan politics, she was the quiet strength. Beryl Achieng Odinga, who passed away on November 25, was not just a sibling to the late Raila Odinga; she was his best friend, a sister whose illness made the news of his death almost too heavy to share.

The revelation, shared by a grieving Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, casts a new, deeply personal light on the Odinga family's double tragedy. Coming just weeks after Raila's passing, Beryl's death at 78 after a long illness closes a chapter on a life of remarkable resilience, lived largely outside the political spotlight her family commanded.

A Sister's Grief, A Brother's Confidante

During a poignant requiem mass at the Consolata Shrine in Nairobi, Ruth Odinga laid bare the profound bond her two late siblings shared. “We lost a brave woman who is a big pillar,” she noted, recalling her anxiety over how to inform Beryl of Raila's death. “We thought that Beryl would not be able to recover from the death of her brother.”

Ruth, for whom Beryl was a second mother, described her as the family's embrace. This sentiment was echoed by Senator Oburu Oginga, who emotionally recalled babysitting his younger sister. “I really love my sister... Losing my sister and brother whom we grew up as twins. I hope God still loves our family,” he lamented.

Beyond the Odinga Name: A Trailblazer in Two Nations

While she chose a life away from the political podiums, Beryl’s impact was deeply felt in public service across two nations. After completing her education as a teacher and lawyer, she faced a turbulent marriage to politician Otieno Ambala. In the 1980s, seeking refuge from the abusive relationship, she fled to a newly independent Zimbabwe.

There, she didn't just rebuild her life; she made history. Beryl became the first black Town Clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe's third-largest city, a trailblazing achievement in a post-colonial era. Her work in urban planning and governance left a lasting mark before she returned to Kenya. Back home, she continued her service, eventually chairing the board of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company.

A Nation Mourns With Them

Tributes have poured in from across the political divide, acknowledging a woman whose quiet dignity and professional integrity earned widespread respect. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka remembered his University of Nairobi law classmate for her “firm, principled leadership.” President William Ruto hailed her as a “trailblazer whose distinguished professional journey took her across the African continent.”

Beryl Odinga passed away while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital. The family has confirmed she will be laid to rest on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the family home in Kang'o ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.

As the Odinga family prepares to say a final farewell, they are left with the memory of a sister who, as Ruth shared, was a source of unwavering love and a best friend to the man a nation knew as ‘Baba’.