We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
As critics label it a political reward, Winnie Odinga fires back: 'My mother is a teacher, an activist, and a matriarch—she earned this.'

As the political class murmurs about "soft landings" and "political rewards," Winnie Odinga has come out swinging in defense of her mother, Ida Odinga, asserting that her nomination as Ambassador to UNEP is a recognition of merit, not a posthumous favor to Raila Odinga.
The nomination of Mama Ida by President William Ruto has sparked a fierce debate, with critics like UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala questioning the appointment. Winnie, however, frames the narrative differently: it is about the resume of a woman who has stood in the trenches of Kenya’s democratization and environmental advocacy for four decades.
"My mother is not a token," Winnie stated, addressing the whispers that the appointment was a calculated move by the President to appease the Odinga family. "She is a teacher, a lifelong activist, and a woman who held this country together when others fled. She deserves the UNEP role because she is qualified for it."
The defense highlights Ida Odinga's often-overlooked professional background. A Bachelor of Arts graduate from the University of Nairobi and a former teacher at Kenya High School, Ida has been a quiet force in civic education and the League of Kenya Women Voters.
Interestingly, Winnie’s defense of her mother comes simultaneously with her attack on the party leadership. It reveals a complex dynamic: she can support her mother’s state appointment while attacking the party’s political marriage with the state. It is a delicate balance.
Supporters see Ida’s appointment as a stabilizing move for the country, a gesture of national unity. Detractors see it as the final co-optation of the opposition. But for Winnie, the issue is personal. "Respect is not a request," she implies. "It is a demand."
As Mama Ida prepares to face the parliamentary vetting committee, she does so with the fierce backing of her daughter, who is effectively telling the political class: Attack the politics if you must, but respect the matriarch.
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 8 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 8 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 8 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 8 months ago
Key figures and persons of interest featured in this article