Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife Ida Odinga has revealed that her personal net worth is Sh500 million.
During her vetting as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme, Ida, however, made it clear to the vetting panel that the Sh500 million is not the entire Odinga family’s.
“This is an interesting question. There are things that belong to me Ida and there are things that belongs to the Odinga family but my net worth is about Sh500 million,” she told the Departmental Committee on Defence Intelligence, and Foreign Relations.
Ida appeared before a parliamentary committee for vetting following her nomination as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep).
The vetting that lasted less that 40 minutes, saw Ida outline her education, career background and upbringing.
She said her experience, passion and inner resolve will help her serve the interest of the nation with utmost integrity.
If approved, Ida said she intends to stop destruction of the planet and pursue all related priorities.
“How we manage our environment will determine the quality of life we live,” she said.
“Through my work I have seen devastating effects of environmental degradation, especially of the vulnerable people. I believe this is a critical moment. I have been presented with an opportunity to shape our environmental future and if approved, I intend to do my level best to help stop killing our planet.”
Ida thanked President William Ruto for the nomination and described her deceased husband as her number one supporter and the man who shaped her into the woman she is today.
“I thank President William Ruto for the trust he has placed in me by nominating me to serve our nation in this important global diplomatic role (Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP). I am also grateful for the messages of goodwill, the support and all the advice I have received from my friends, colleagues and fellow Kenyans since my nomination,” she said,
Ida, who lost her father at her tender age, said her mother raised six children with unwavering strength and deep fear for God.
She said she draws courage from her mother even as she navigates widowhood.
She outlined her passion for the education of the girl child through the Ida Odinga Trust. The programme supports young mothers who had dropped out of school to go back.
“For most of my life, I have often found myself in peculiar spaces that needed a bold voice,” Ida said.
Her daughter Rosemary Odinga and lawyer Makau Mutua accompanied her to Parliament.
