Oburu Odinga Calls Emergency Family Meeting

Oburu Odinga consoles Ida Odinga at her Karen residence. (Photo: PCS)

Raila Odinga’s eldest son, Raila Odinga Junior, has revealed that his uncle Oburu has called for an emergency meeting scheduled on February 1st.

In a brief deleted social media post shared, Junior suggested that there were urgent family issues requiring discussion, directing attention to his uncle Oburu Odinga, who is widely regarded as a senior figure within the Odinga family and the ODM party.

He was reacting to the nomination of Mama Ida Betty Odinga as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The initial post sparked speculation online, prompting Junior to issue a follow-up clarification distancing himself from political interpretations of his remarks.

In the subsequent message, he stated that he does not engage in politics and emphasised that his concerns were personal rather than partisan.

He revealed that he had reached out to Oburu Odinga, aimed at discussing the circumstances surrounding the appointment.

“I am not a politician. I respect everyone,” Junior said, adding that he was seeking clarity on the situation and preferred not to be drawn into political debates linked to the nomination.

Junior also indicated that he would have preferred the meeting to be held sooner, noting uncertainty over how the decision had been reached.

His remarks have highlighted the delicate intersection between family dynamics and high-level political appointments, particularly given Mama Ida Odinga’s public profile and the national significance of the UNEP role.

President William Ruto formally nominated Mama Ida earlier in the day, a move that has since attracted both political commentary and public debate. The nomination is subject to parliamentary vetting and approval before it takes effect.