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Who was Beryl Achieng Odinga and why is her death shaking East Africa?
Beryl Achieng Odinga, the younger sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, passed away suddenly on November 25, 2025, at Nairobi West Hospital after a prolonged illness. Born into Kenya’s most storied political family — daughter of independence icon Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Mama Mary Ajuma Odinga — Beryl deliberately stayed away from the political stage that defined her siblings. Yet her quiet influence stretched from Kenyan boardrooms to Zimbabwean city halls, earning her respect across the region.
What kind of mother and family member was she?
The Odinga family’s emotional Facebook statement described her as a deeply devoted mother to Ami Auma, Chizi, and Taurai. Despite losing her husband, Otieno Ambala, to a heart attack in 1985 while he was detained at Kodiaga Prison, Beryl raised her children single-handedly while maintaining close ties with siblings including Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, the late Raila Odinga, Ruth Odinga, and Akinyi Wenwa. Family members called her “the glue that held us together in private when the world only saw our public battles.”
How did a Kenyan woman become the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe?
After completing her A-Levels in 1972 and qualifying both as a teacher and lawyer, Beryl moved to newly independent Zimbabwe. In a historic appointment, she broke racial barriers by becoming the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, the country’s third-largest city. She later rose to Company Secretary of the Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe, playing a key role in post-independence urban reconstruction before eventually returning to Kenya.
What was her most recent high-profile role in Kenya?
In January 2020, Beryl was appointed Chairperson of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC). During her tenure, the utility reportedly reduced non-revenue water losses by more than 15% in the first two years through better governance and infrastructure investment — achievements that quietly improved life for millions of Nairobi residents and earned praise from technocrats across East Africa.
Who were some of her famous classmates and how connected was she to Kenya’s political elite?
At Alliance High School, Beryl sat in the same class as future heavyweights Kalonzo Musyoka (former Vice President and Wiper leader) and Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o (current Kisumu Governor and Cabinet Secretary). She delighted guests at her brother Oburu’s 2023 birthday party by reminiscing about those school days, revealing just how deeply embedded she was in the networks that have shaped modern Kenya.
How are Kenyans and the region reacting to her passing?
Tributes have poured in from across the political divide. Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga called her “our family’s unsung guardian,” while Ruth Odinga said Beryl taught them that “true power lies in service, not speeches.” Messages of condolence have also crossed the border into Uganda, where the Odinga name carries weight in both ruling and opposition circles, underscoring the family’s enduring regional influence.
What happens next for the funeral arrangements?
The body of Beryl Achieng Odinga has been moved from Nairobi West Hospital to a city funeral home. The family has promised to release burial programme details in the coming days. Given the Odinga family’s stature, the funeral is expected to draw leaders from across East Africa.
Rest in peace, Beryl Achieng Odinga — the quiet giant whose legacy of service will long outlive the headlines.
