President Ruto appoints Ida Odinga Kenya’s envoy to UNEP

President William Ruto has formally appointed Ida Betty Odinga as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative in the Foreign Service, following approval by the National Assembly.

In a gazette notice dated February 27, 2026, the Head of State invoked Article 132 (2) (e) of the Constitution to formalise the appointment.

“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Article 132 (2) (e) of the Constitution of Kenya, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint— IDA BETTY ODINGA, CANON (DR.) as Ambassador and Permanent Representative in the Foreign Service of the Republic of Kenya,” the notice reads.

The appointment clears the way for Ida Odinga to assume office as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme, which is headquartered in Nairobi.

Her nomination was approved on February 24 by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations after a vetting process at Parliament.

Ida appeared before the committee on February 20, where she outlined her priorities and vision for Kenya’s engagement with the global environmental body.

During the session, she underscored the importance of environmental stewardship, warning that the country’s future depends on how natural resources are managed.

“How we manage or mismanage our environment will determine the quality of life we live,” she told the committee.

She noted that Kenya and the wider African continent are increasingly positioning themselves as global leaders in climate action. She called for urgent and coordinated measures to address environmental degradation and protect the planet.

“I believe this is a critical moment when we are presented with an opportunity to shape our environmental future. If approved by this committee, I intend to do my level best to help stop the destruction of our planet and pursue every specific priority,” she said.

The committee subsequently approved her nomination, paving the way for the formal appointment by the President.

In her remarks, Ida expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for entrusting her with the diplomatic role.

“I thank President William Ruto for the trust he has placed in me by nominating me to serve our nation in this important global diplomatic role (Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP). I am also grateful for the messages of goodwill, the support and all the advice I have received from my friends, colleagues and fellow Kenyans since my nomination,” she said.

She also paid tribute to her late husband, describing him as her number one supporter and the person who shaped her into the woman she is today.

With the formal appointment now gazetted, Ida Odinga is set to represent Kenya at the United Nations Environment Programme, advancing the country’s environmental and climate agenda on the global stage from its Nairobi headquarters.