Ida Odinga. Photo/Courtesy
President William Ruto has nominated Canon Dr Ida Betty Odinga for appointment as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), placing her at the centre of global environmental diplomacy pending parliamentary approval.
In a statement issued on Friday by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the nomination was confirmed as a presidential action formally forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting, in line with constitutional requirements governing senior diplomatic appointments.
The role carries strategic weight for Kenya, which hosts UNEP headquarters in Nairobi and has positioned itself as a leading voice on climate action, conservation, and sustainable development.
If approved, Dr Odinga would represent Kenya in high-level multilateral negotiations and policy discussions shaping global environmental governance.
State House cited her extensive background in education, public service, and civic leadership as key considerations in the nomination.
Dr Odinga is a trained teacher who served in several secondary schools, including Kenya High School, before expanding her work into community development and advocacy.
She was a prominent figure in Kenya’s pro-democracy movement in the early 1990s and was the founding chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters, a platform that championed electoral participation and women’s rights during a critical political period.
Beyond activism, she has also been involved in the private sector through family-owned enterprises.
Her public service has been recognised both locally and internationally.
She holds honorary doctoral degrees and is a recipient of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH), Kenya’s highest civilian honour.
Parliament is now expected to begin the vetting process.