Late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga‘s sister, Beryl Achieng Odinga, is dead.
Kisumu County Woman Representative and sister Ruth Odinga announced her death in a statement on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
“It is with a heavy heart but accepting the will of God we announce the sudden passing of Beryl Achieng Odinga. Daughter to the Late Hon Jaramogi Odinga and Mama Mary Ajuma Oginga. Mother to Ami Auma, Chizi and Taurai Sister to Senator Oburu Oginga, Rt Hon Raila Odinga, Akinyi Wenwa amongst others. Sister-in-law to Dr Anne Oburu, Dr Canon Ida Odinga, hon Tabu Osewe and Judy Oburu.
While we are deeply saddened by her demise and the immense void left in our lives, we take solace in the belief that she is safe in the Lord’s arms and are thankful for the invaluable gift of the time we were privileged to share with her and for the profound impact she had on all who knew her.”
Beryl Achieng Odinga, the fourth-born in the Odinga family after Oburu Odinga, the late Raila Odinga, the late Ngire Omuodo Agola, and Dr. Akinyi Wenwa, has led a life marked by professional achievement and personal resilience.
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She completed her Form Six studies in December 1972 and went on to train both as a teacher and a lawyer.
Beryl Achieng profile
Despite her family’s high political profile, Beryl has consistently chosen a quieter public life, staying away from active politics while contributing significantly to public service.
She made history with a groundbreaking milestone in her career as the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe’s third-largest city.
After resettling in Zimbabwe as a permanent resident, Achieng rebuilt her professional life and later served as Company Secretary for the Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
In Kenya, she continued to take on leadership roles in public institutions. She was appointed to the board of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) in January 2020 and subsequently became its chairperson.
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Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko while mourning her said that she “served him well” during her tenure as NCWSC chairperson.
“RIP Beryl Odinga sis to the former late PM Baba. You served me well during your tenure as the chairperson Nairobi city water and sewerage company when I was the Governor of Nairobi,” Sonko said.
During Oburu Odinga’s birthday celebration in October 2023, Beryl shared that she had been classmates with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o.
She married Otieno Ambala in 1974 who later became the Member of Parliament for Gem but died in 1985.
In Raila Odinga’s 2014 biography The Flame of Freedom, he recounted the challenges his sister faced within that marriage.
