Political analyst Herman Manyora has articulated how President William Ruto strategically diminished the influence of Ida Odinga, the spouse of the late Raila Odinga, by appointing her as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Representative to Kenya.
During his daily analysis on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, Manyora critiqued this decision, suggesting that it undermined Ida’s matriarchal status within the Luo community. He believes that Ruto could have leveraged Ida’s esteemed position to gain entry into Nyanza ahead of the 2027 elections.
Manyora observed that Ida, once a respected figure, has now been relegated to what he describes as a common status, losing the influence she previously wielded. He expressed concern that this shift has not only affected her standing but also diminished her role as a pivotal advisor for politicians and government officials, including Finance Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and members of the Odinga family, who traditionally sought her counsel in times of need.
“Ruto has effectively undermined her credibility,” Manyora stated. “Ida was once a figure of authority, and with this appointment, she has lost her status. If she had declined this position, Ruto would have sought her advice in Bondo or Karen.”
He emphasized the symbolic importance of hosting a politician like Ruto at Ida’s Bondo home, arguing that such a gesture would have carried substantial political weight, potentially swaying the Nyanza region in Ruto’s favor for the upcoming elections. Manyora lamented that this opportunity has slipped away following Ida’s UNEP appointment.
“Simple gestures, like sharing tea with Ida in Bondo, would have been monumental. Hosting a delegation for lunch at Opoda farm would have had significant political implications. Unfortunately, Ruto has effectively erased her influence,” Manyora concluded.
The analyst further asserted that Ida’s new UNEP role has transitioned her from a revered political and cultural figure to a more conventional public position, thereby weakening her ability to influence the continuity of the ODM party and the broader Jaramogi political lineage.
He elaborated that while Oburu Odinga typically represents the senior family leadership and Raila Junior embodies the next generation, Ida has historically served as the most influential figure within the movement, both symbolically and spiritually. Manyora indicated that she was poised to pass this symbolic mantle to Winnie Odinga, ensuring the preservation of the family’s legacy and the political direction of ODM.
This analysis comes shortly after Ida was appointed to replace Ababu Namwamba as Kenya’s representative to UNEP.
