Canon Dr. Ida Odinga has cleared a key parliamentary hurdle after a National Assembly committee approved her nomination as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations endorsed her appointment, paving the way for a decisive plenary vote set for Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
If MPs adopt the report, Mama Ida will formally take up the diplomatic post at the UN environment body headquartered in Nairobi.
Her approval follows a vetting session before the committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, where she laid out her vision for Kenya’s environmental diplomacy.
During the hearing, Mama Ida underscored the urgency of responsible environmental stewardship, warning that the country’s future wellbeing depends on present-day choices.
“How we manage or mismanage our environment will determine the quality of life we live,” she told lawmakers.
She noted that both Kenya and the wider African continent are increasingly taking centre stage in global climate action, urging coordinated efforts to confront environmental degradation.
“I believe this is a critical moment when we are presented with an opportunity to shape our environmental future. If approved by this committee, I intend to do my level best to help stop the destruction of our planet and pursue every specific priority,” she said.
Mama Ida also expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for entrusting her with the nomination, while paying tribute to her late husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom she described as her strongest supporter.
“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… 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.
Reflecting on her personal journey, she spoke about drawing strength from her mother, who raised six children after the early loss of her father. She said that resilience continues to guide her as she navigates widowhood.
Beyond diplomacy, Mama Ida highlighted her long-standing commitment to girls’ education through the Ida Odinga Trust, which supports young mothers who dropped out of school to return to the classroom.
With the committee’s green light secured, attention now shifts to the National Assembly floor, where MPs will make the final call on whether she takes up Kenya’s UNEP envoy role.
