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.

"She Earned Her Stripes"

"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.

• The Malala Factor: Cleophas Malala had publicly attacked the nomination, asking if Ida was a "mama mboga" to deserve such a slot. Winnie’s retort serves as a direct rebuke to what she terms "disrespectful ageism and sexism."
• The UNEP Role: As the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme, Ida will be Kenya's voice on critical issues like climate financing and plastic pollution—areas where her advocacy background is relevant.

A Family Divided?

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.