Ida Odinga, the widow of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has dismissed calls for her to enter politics ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election, insisting that she has no interest in contesting any political seat in the country.
Speaking on Monday this week, Ida explained that her long period of silence was not a sign of political planning, but was due to mourning following the death of her husband.
“When I lost my husband, I was in a period of mourning that was very important to me. I could not engage in any political matters at that time,” she said.
Ida, who also serves as Kenya’s Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme, stressed that politics is not her field, describing herself instead as a businesswoman and diplomat.
“Personally, I am not a politician. My late husband was a politician, my daughter is also in politics, and my brother-in-law as well. But I have chosen a different path,” she added.
She said she will continue serving in her current role and leave politics to other members of her family.
Her remarks come at a time of major political realignments, as the Odinga family continues to be seen as highly influential in Kenya’s national politics.
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