Mama Ida Odinga speaks during a service at Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Roysambu, Nairobi on January 25, 2026.
As Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ida Odinga will head the country’s mission to the United Nations.
She will be in charge of the country’s high-level negotiations, including environmental conventions and multilateral talks.
Since Kenya hosts the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Mrs Odinga would also be in charge of host-country obligations and act as a bridge between the UN and the Kenyan government.
Should her nomination be approved by Parliament, the widow of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga will lead Kenya’s participation in UNEP Governing Council as well as the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA).
The office is also responsible for promoting Nairobi as the UN’s Global South headquarters by lobbying for the expansion of UN agencies in Nairobi, as well as increased international conferences and programmes.
Information on the United Nations’ website indicates that Permanent Representatives are ambassadors appointed by their state or government to represent the country at UN headquarters.
“They are the head of the Permanent Mission of their country to the United Nations. The Permanent Mission usually has a staff, including a Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR), who also attends meetings and may have specialised roles, such as working on the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, or as advisor on political affairs.”
“Some Member States maintain large permanent missions, while others may have a smaller delegation to the UN.”
On Sunday, Mama Ida hit back at critics questioning her nomination by President William Ruto.
“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.” Her remark was in response to criticism around the nomination. Some of the critics described the position as ‘below her stature’, while urging her to reject it.
Mama Ida Odinga, the widow of former ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
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 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.
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