Late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's sister, Beryl Achieng, is dead.
"She died today at a Nairobi hospital where she had been admitted," A family source told the Star on phone.
The source said that Beryl had been sick for a long time and had been in and out of the hospital.
"She had also been admitted at the Indian facility where former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had been admitted," the source said.Beryl is the youngest in the Odinga family.
Confirming the news, Ruth Odinga said the family was devastated by the loss.
“It is with a heavy heart, but accepting the will of God, that we announce the sudden passing of Beryl Achieng Odinga,” she said.
Ruth described Beryl as a devoted mother and a pillar within the family.
“Beryl was a loving mother to Ami Auma, Chizi and Taure,” she said. “She was sister to Senator Oburu Oginga, Rt Hon Raila Odinga, Akinyi Wenwa and myself, among others.”
She also acknowledged the extended family who shared in the grief, noting: “She was sister-in-law to Dr Anne Oburu, Dr Canon Ida Odinga, Hon Tabu Osewe and Judy Oburu.”
Ruth said the family was taking comfort in faith despite the deep sorrow.
“While we are deeply saddened by her demise and the immense void left in our lives, we take solace in the belief that she is safe in the Lord’s arms,” she said.
“We are thankful for the invaluable gift of the time we were privileged to share with her and for the profound impact she had on all who knew her.”
She has maintained a relatively low public profile compared to some of her siblings, preferring not to engage in active politics.
She made history as the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, the third-largest city in Zimbabwe.
In 2020, Beryl was appointed Chairperson of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC).
Overall, Beryl Achieng Odinga stands out as a trained professional who has held leadership roles across public institutions.
Despite her family’s political prominence, she has charted a relatively private path while contributing to public service in Kenya and beyond.
