Rosa Oyoo, Ida Odinga’s mother and the late Raila Odinga’s mother-in-law, is recognized as the first African woman to be trained as a nurse in Kenya.
Speaking during her vetting for the position of Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on February 20, 2026, Ida Odinga recognised Rosa as the first trained nurse in Kenya, saying:
“My father was a medical officer, and my mother was a nurse. In fact, she is the first Africa‑trained nurse in this country.”
Rosa Oyoo’s Background
Rosa, born in Khwisero in Kakamega County, is recognized as one of Kenya’s earliest African nurses and a key figure in the country’s medical history.
She grew up at a time when very few African women had access to proper education or professional training.
She later married Nehemiah Oyoo, a civil servant and medical assistant, and moved with him to Kabarnet and Gem, where he worked, before they finally settled in Migori.
Her home became well‑known in the area, and Raila Odinga regularly stopped by whenever he visited Migori, showing the strong relationship between her and the family.
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Education and Career
Rosa Oyoo trained as a nurse at the King’s African Rifles Hospital, which later became the King George Hospital and is today known as Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s main referral hospital.
Completing this training made her Kenya’s first fully trained African nurse, a title confirmed by Kenyan media and leaders. Her achievement was rare at the time because most Africans, especially women, were not allowed into professional medical programmes.
After completing her training, Mama Rosa worked in several hospitals across the country, often at the same hospitals where her husband served as a medical assistant.
Her work came at a time when African nurses were just beginning to assume responsibilities previously reserved for Europeans. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta praised her for her “outstanding service to the community and the nation,” calling her hardworking, humble, and dedicated.
Family Life
Rosa Oyoo and her husband had six children. After her husband died in 1959, she raised all six children on her own. Her family has repeatedly credited her for insisting on education and discipline.
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Ida, her daughter, told the vetting panel that she was raised by her mother after losing her father early in life, noting that she “grew up in Kabarnet, Gem, and Migori, where her father served as a medical officer and her mother as a nurse.”
She explained that after her father’s death, “my mother raised my siblings and me,” stating the central role her widowed mother played in shaping her childhood.
Ida added that being raised under the care of “my mother, who was a nurse,” instilled in her a lasting sense of duty and resilience values she said continue to guide her public service outlook.
Rosa died on July 3, 2014, at St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Ombo, Migori, at over 90 years old.
In 2024, the family marked Mama Rosa’s 10th memorial anniversary, gathering to remember her contributions and influence. Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga acknowledged her as a dedicated woman who lights the lives of people around her.
Ruth added that she left a significant mark that the world will forever celebrate
“Throughout her life, Mama dedicated herself to uplifting and empowering those around her. Her tireless efforts to support her community and her family’s well-being made her a revered and respected figure.
Her memory lives on, and we are honored to celebrate the profound mark she left on this world,” said Ruth Odinga.
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