Raila's sister Beryl Achieng dies in Nairobi
The late Beryl Achieng, who was the youngest sister of former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga.
The Odinga family has once again been thrown into mourning with the death of Beryl Achieng in Nairobi.
Her demise comes just a month after the family mourned the passing of her brother, ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Ruth Odinga confirmed that her sister died at Nairobi West Hospital.
"It is with a heavy heart, but accepting the will of God, that we announce the sudden passing of Beryl Achieng Odinga, daughter to the Late Hon Jaramogi Odinga and Mama Mary Ajuma Oginga. Mother to Ami Auma, Chizi and Taure.
Sister to Senator Oburu Oginga, Rt Hon Raila Odinga, Akinyi Wenwai and Hon Ruth Odinga, amongst others. Sister-in-law to Dr Anne Oburu, Dr Canon Ida Odinga, Hon Tabu Osewe and Judy Oburu," she said.
"While we are deeply saddened by her demise and the immense void left in our lives, we take solace in the belief that she is safe in the Lord's arms and are thankful for the invaluable gift of the time we were privileged to share with her."
At Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi, mourning family members and leaders received her body.
Present were Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, alongside Winnie Odinga and two of Beryl’s grandsons.
Several other leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, also joined the gathering to offer their condolences.
Family members described Beryl as warm and deeply devoted to her children and siblings.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Early life
Beryl completed her Form Six (‘A’ Levels) studies in December 1972 and went on to pursue a career in teaching and law.
She would later marry Otieno Ambala in 1974, at the time was an aspiring legislator, who later died from a heart attack in 1985 while at Kodiaga Prison.
In 2023, she revealed that she was a classmate to Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o.
In 2020, she was appointed by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to the board of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited, serving as the chairperson.
Odinga’s memoir, The Flame of Freedom, details how the former premier rescued his sister from an abusive marriage helping her become a Zimbabwe resident.
It is in Zimbabwe where she would regain her peace, healing and an occupation, becoming the first black town clerk of Mutare, the country's third largest city.
Beryl would later file for divorce from her husband. She was later appointed the company secretary of the Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
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