The late Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s widow Ida has hit back at critics questioning her nomination by President William Ruto as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), declaring she will not be intimidated or swayed.
Mama Ida addressed the controversy surrounding her appointment squarely on Sunday during the inaugural ceremony of PEFA Cathedral Church on Thika Road where she was guest of honour.
“Thank you to those who have congratulated me. To me, this is an honour. No one will intimidate me. No one will frighten me because the Lord is my shepherd,” she said, citing Psalms 23.
Mama Ida Odinga speaks during a service at Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Roysambu, Nairobi on January 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Mama Ida said losing her husband and facing scrutiny over her nomination are battles she confronts daily. However, she asserted that her Christian faith has helped her remain steadfast.
“I walk with my head high. I talk with confidence because the Lord is with me. He prepares the table for me before my enemies. Every time I turn on the TV or open the newspaper, it’s Ida Odinga. But I do not fear. God is with me,” she added.
Mama Ida’s declaration came amid criticism from a section of ODM leaders and United Opposition legislators who have urged her to reject the nomination.
On Saturday, ODM deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said the UNEP position was “too small” for her stature.
We are asking our lovely Mama Ida to reject that offer. Ida is very prominent and deserves an above-ambassador position,” he said.
Similarly, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala described the nomination as a “misplaced priority,” arguing that ordinary Kenyans, especially women, needed more direct support.
President William Ruto and Mama Ida Odinga during Raila Odinga's funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology grounds in Siaya County.
“President Ruto promised to uplift women and create jobs for them. Instead of empowering everyday women, he nominated Mama Ida,” Mr Malala said during a rally in Kirinyaga.
Despite these criticisms, Mama Ida received strong backing from her supporters. ODM youth leader Brian Omondi Midiwo, who attended Sunday's church service, assured Mama Ida of support from the party’s youth wing.
“We are very happy about Ida’s nomination. As young leaders, we want to see more women and youth appointed. Mama Ida has said she will not be intimidated, and we will support her strongly,” said Midiwo, son of the late Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, who also announced plans to run for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat in next year's election.
Sustained onslaught on Oburu
Roysambu MP Kamanda Mwafrika also praised Mama Ida, calling her “highly capable” for the role.
Mama Ida’s remarks come at a delicate moment for ODM, as the party navigates internal debates over leadership and alignment with the government.
Her nomination and decision to accept it could shape her political influence and the party’s future trajectory.
Separately, ODM leaders opposed to the broad-based arrangement on Sunday sustained their onslaught on party leader Dr Oburu Oginga.
Mama Ida Odinga speaks during a service at Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Roysambu, Nairobi on January 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
They demanded that the party convenes a National Delegates Congress (NDC) to allow delegates to elect substantive officials.
The team, which attended a church service in Nairobi’s Kawangware said any attempts to remove Edwin Sifuna as ODM Secretary-General would mark the beginning of the end of the 20-year-old party.
"I want to assure you that if someone dares to remove Sifuna from the ODM SG post, that will be the end of ODM," Siaya Governor James Orengo said, adding that Raila Odinga’s family, including his children, should be accorded respect.
According to Governor Orengo, Raila's truest words are found in his speeches and writings, which he said were captured in the broad-based agreement, including the 10-point agenda.
He added that Mr Sifuna was part of the team that drafted the arrangement, which was signed by both Mr Odinga and President William Ruto.
He observed that the MoU initially focused on lowering the cost of living and that Mr Odinga did not enter into any memorandum to form a coalition party.
Mr Orengo said a coalition arrangement was not part of the deal and that Mr Odinga wanted the 10-point agenda fulfilled first before considering the possibility of coalition talks.
“As such, you should not be lied to. Raila Odinga did not say anything about entering into a coalition with anyone. He said the rights of Kenyans come first, and upon satisfaction, he would then decide whether to enter into a coalition or not,” explained Mr Orengo.
ODM’s deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said theere are individuals within ODM who want to wreck Mr Odinga’s party.
Mama Ida Odinga with her daughter Rosemary Odinga during a service at Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Roysambu, Nairobi on January 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
He added that their faction has begun consulting Kenyans because, before taking any political direction, Mr Odinga always consulted widely.
"We have decided not to tolerate it any longer… ODM is a party of the people. It has always had the interests of the people at heart," said Mr Osotsi.
“It is those parties that came seeking him. And that is the principle his disciples will stick to in his absence,” he said.
