Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga announced the death of Beryl Achieng’, sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Beryl Achieng Odinga, the fourth-born in the Odinga family, after Oburu Odinga, the late Raila Odinga, and the late Ngire Omuodo Agola, lived a life defined by remarkable professional accomplishments.
Achieng passed away at the age of 78.
“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,” Ruth Odinga announced.
Beryl Achieng’s Educational Background
Beryl completed her Form Six (‘A’ Levels) studies in December 1972.
She was a professional teacher and lawyer, and made history as the first black Town Clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe’s third-largest city.
Career Background
The late Beryl Achieng was a teacher and lawyer and made history as the first black town Clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe.
After returning to Zimbabwe as a bona fide resident, Beryl rebuilt her life and career, later serving as Company Secretary of the Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
She also served as the Chairperson of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC), having been formally appointed to the board in January 2020.
During Oburu’s birthday celebration in October 2023, Beryl revealed that Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka was her classmate.
Beryl also added that she is the only one among her siblings who attended school and university in Kenya. Introducing herself, she noted that several people present were her former university classmates, including Ida Odinga.
Also Read: Raila Odinga Profile: Educational Background, Family, Politics and Wealth
She also acknowledged Siaya Governor James Orengo and Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o, whom she described as a teacher and a colleague during her time at the university.
She also credited Oburu with influencing her career path. While their father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was passionate about mathematics, Beryl said Oburu encouraged her to pursue law even though she struggled with the subject.
He reassured her that arts subjects were just as valuable as mathematics, a message she said shaped her journey into the legal profession.
In his 2014 biography, The Flame of Freedom, Raila recounted how his sister was trapped in an abusive marriage. Her ex-husband, Otieno Ambala, became the Member of Parliament for Gem after a stormy start to their marriage.
Also Read: Full List of Raila Odinga’s Siblings; Alive and Dead
Her Husband’s Political Journey
In the 1974 General Election, Otieno lost the Gem parliamentary race to Isaac Okero.
Otieno later turned to Beryl to help secure political support from her family.
Jaramogi reluctantly instructed his Bondo campaign team to assist Otieno in Gem, which contributed to his eventual victory in the 1979 elections.
Family
Beryl was married to Otieno Ambala, who served briefly as Gem MP before his death in 1985.
The couple had two children, Auma and Chizzy, but their marriage soon fell apart because of ongoing domestic abuse.
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