The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations has endorsed the nomination of Ida Odinga as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme, paving the way for a final decision by the House.
Presenting the committee’s report on Tuesday, Chairperson Nelson Koech told lawmakers, “This House approves the appointment of Canon Dr Ida Odinga as the permanent representative at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).”
The report is set to be tabled during Wednesday’s plenary sitting, where Members of Parliament will debate the recommendation and vote on whether to adopt or reject it.
Odinga faced the committee on Friday, February 20, 2026, for vetting. During the session, legislators sought to assess her suitability for the role, raising questions about her expertise, understanding and experience in tackling global climate change.
In her response, she pointed to her long career in education, noting that her work as a geography teacher exposed her to environmental matters over many years. She also referred to her conservation efforts alongside the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai.
“I have been involved in several environmentally sustainable initiatives, including collaborating with the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai and her Green Belt Movement on advocacy activities such as tree planting,” Odinga said.
She described herself as someone capable of rallying support and attracting resources both within and outside the country.
“In Kenya, we have our own standards, but Kenya is a part of the global community. We need to work hard, but we also need to mobilise our community and mobilise our resources; we can also mobilise resources outside Kenya. I’m a good mobiliser when it comes to mobilising resources. My social capital is quite high,” she told the committee.
During the vetting, Odinga, who is the spouse of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, declared her net worth at Sh500 million.
The hearing, however, drew attention from observers who felt the tone of parts of the session leaned more toward praise than scrutiny.
When Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo was invited to speak, she did not pose a question but instead lauded the nominee.
“Mama Ida is overqualified for this position. I would also like to congratulate her. I don’t know if in this committee or this parliament we have ever seen this kind of expertise,” Millie said while holding Ida’s CV.
“Ida Odinga is an ambassador par excellence; she has worked with every government.”
Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha also commended the nominee and remarked on her readiness.
“I will first congratulate Mama Ida for this appointment. The other thing is that you came in prepared, as local Kenyans would say, ‘umetuuzia uoga na tuumenunua’. By the way you presented yourself, tumenunua,” Wamuratha said.
The trend prompted Chairperson Koech to steer members back to the purpose of the sitting.
“I have to caution members. It sounds like most of you are doing well; congratulations. We are in for a vetting exercise; you will have that opportunity as a committee to relay your congratulatory message later if you do approve the nominee,” Koech said.
He added, “Let’s restrict ourselves to the vetting process; Mama Ida can take any question she is prepared for.”
The atmosphere stood in contrast to other high-level approval hearings presided over by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, where nominees are often reminded not to speak as though they already hold office and are encouraged to frame their answers as “should I be given this role” or “if approved.”
With the committee having cleared her nomination, the matter now rests with the full House, which is expected to make the final determination during Wednesday’s sitting.
