President William Ruto has nominated Canon Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, E.G.H., for appointment as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a move the government says will strengthen Kenya’s global environmental leadership.
The nomination, contained in a formal notification from the Executive Office of the President, has been transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval in line with constitutional requirements.
According to the statement, Dr. Odinga’s appointment, once approved by Parliament, is “expected to amplify Kenya’s voice on environmental issues and further reinforce the country’s longstanding leadership in environmental diplomacy, as well as its pivotal role as host of the UN’s principal environmental authority.”
Kenya hosts UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, making the role strategically important as the country continues to position itself at the centre of global climate action, sustainability, and environmental governance.
The Presidency described Canon Dr. Ida Odinga as “a distinguished educationist, civic leader, and an acclaimed advocate for social justice and gender equity.” She began her professional journey as a graduate teacher at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi before moving to Kenya High School, where she spent more than a decade in the classroom. The statement notes that this period “nurtured a deep-rooted and enduring commitment to education, inspiring and guiding successive generations of future leaders.”
Her contribution to Kenya’s democratic journey was also highlighted. During the early 1990s, at the height of the struggle for multiparty democracy, Dr. Odinga “played a key role in advancing calls for change and democratic reform,” later serving as the founding chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters. Since then, the statement says, “she has consistently championed initiatives that improve the lives of women, children, the youth, and vulnerable communities.”
In the private sector, Dr. Odinga is credited with contributing leadership to family enterprises, including East African Spectre, “a liquefied gas cylinder manufacturing company that has made considerable contributions to the nation’s energy sector.” Internationally, her leadership and advocacy have earned her recognition beyond Kenya’s borders, with the statement noting that “her leadership and influence extend beyond national borders, where she is widely recognized as a credible and articulate voice for Africa.”
Her service has been recognised through several honours and awards. In 2018, she was conferred with “Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.).” She has also received “two Honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) degrees,” alongside other accolades including the Trailblazer Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Achievers Foundation.
The statement further reflected on her personal legacy, noting that Dr. Odinga was “the lifelong companion of the former Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, C.G.H., until his demise on 15th October, 2025.” Her life’s work, the Presidency said, “stands as a testament to the highest ideals of selfless service, defined by courage, sacrifice, grace under fire, and an unceasing commitment to advancing women’s education and empowerment.”
In formally submitting the nomination, the Executive Office of the President stated that “in full fulfilment of the constitutional requirements on State appointments to the Foreign Service, His Excellency the President has transmitted the nomination of Canon Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, E.G.H., to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament.” If approved, she will take up the role at a critical time when environmental diplomacy, climate resilience, and sustainable development are at the forefront of global policy discussions.
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