I’m ready to serve, says Sh500m-worth Ida Odinga

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Ida Betty Odinga faced tough questioning from Parliament’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations as lawmakers weighed whether she is fit to serve as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The nominee leaned heavily on her record in education, women’s advocacy and environmental work, arguing that her leadership experience — rather than technical specialisation — is what the role demands.

“I believe my journey has prepared me well for this job,” she told the committee.

Members pressed her on whether she possesses the technical depth required to navigate complex issues such as carbon markets, climate finance, environmental negotiations and the financial sustainability challenges facing the United Nations system.

In response, Mrs Odinga said she would rely on expert teams while focusing on coordination, partnership-building and resource mobilisation.

“I’m not going to work alone. Effective diplomacy depends on assembling strong technical support and aligning Kenya’s domestic standards with global environmental frameworks," she said.

She pledged to prioritise implementation of recent United Nations Environment Assembly resolutions sponsored by Kenya, including sustainability in sports, environmental governance of artificial intelligence systems and antimicrobial resistance.

She proposed forming multi-stakeholder working groups to ensure follow-through and advance Africa’s green growth agenda.

Lawmakers also questioned Kenya’s environmental credibility on the global stage and how she would position the country in climate negotiations.

Mrs Odinga said Kenya must leverage partnerships while strengthening domestic compliance to international environmental standards.

During statutory disclosures, she declared a net worth of approximately Sh500 million.

"However, some assets are family-related," she said. .

Throughout the session, she traced her background in education, civil society and international advocacy, citing her role in founding the League of Kenya Women Voters, participation in global gender forums since the 1995 Beijing Conference.

She also mentioned her collaboration with environmental initiatives including the Green Belt Movement.

Whether she satisfied the committee will become clear when it tables its report before the National Assembly.