Winnie Odinga has come out swinging in defense of her mother, Ida Odinga, obliterating the narrative that her nomination as Kenya’s Ambassador to UNEP is a political "handshake" reward. In a fiery rebuttal to critics, the EALA MP asserted that her mother’s appointment is the culmination of four decades of service, not a posthumous favor to the Odinga dynasty.

President William Ruto’s decision to nominate the former Prime Minister’s widow has sparked a predictable political storm. Detractors, including UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, have questioned her suitability, with Malala dismissively asking if she was a "mama mboga." Winnie’s response was swift and surgical: "She earned her stripes."

"She Stood When Others Fled"

"My mother is not a token," Winnie declared during an interview with Citizen TV. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-19)"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 sheds light on Ida’s often-overlooked professional resume. A Bachelor of Arts graduate from the University of Nairobi and a former teacher at Kenya High School, Ida Odinga was instrumental in the fight for multi-party democracy, often bearing the brunt of state harassment while her husband was detained. Winnie argued that reducing her to just "Raila’s wife" is an act of disrespectful sexism.

• The Role: As Permanent Representative to UNEP, Ida will be Kenya’s voice on global environmental policy, a platform Winnie insists aligns with her mother’s long history of civic advocacy.
• The Politics: The appointment is seen by analysts as a strategic move by President Ruto to consolidate support in Nyanza and heal historical rifts, but the Odinga family insists it should be viewed on merit.
• The Legacy: "For years, she worked without recognition. The last formal engagement she had with the state was her forced retirement from teaching," Winnie reminded the public.

A Matriarch’s New Chapter

The nomination now moves to Parliament for vetting, where fireworks are expected. But for Winnie, the debate is already settled. This is not about politics; it is about justice.

Ida Odinga has spent a lifetime in the shadow of the Enigma. Now, on the global stage at UNEP, she has the chance to define her own legacy—not as a wife or a widow, but as a diplomat.