The Odinga family is mourning again after the death of Beryl Achieng Odinga, the youngest sister of the late Raila Odinga, who died on Tuesday at a Nairobi hospital following a long illness. Her sister, Ruth Odinga, said the family was “heartbroken” and still reeling from the loss of Raila barely a month ago.
Unlike her politically prominent siblings, Beryl spent much of her life outside the national spotlight. Her career took her to Zimbabwe, where she became the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, and later back to Kenya, where she served in senior public roles, including at the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company. Colleagues remembered her as reserved, disciplined and unafraid to challenge entrenched bureaucracy.
She also forged unexpected personal connections in the course of her work. Nzau Nzau Ya Musau, who once engaged her during a difficult inquiry at the Kenya Railways Retirement Benefits Scheme, recalled her humility and composure.
He said:
“Of all the Odinga family people, the closest I got to was Beryl… I was amazed at the grace with which she responded to my inquiries, without throwing the weight of being the Prime Minister’s sister. Tulipelekana mbio hadi we became friends. My heartfelt condolences to her family. Poleni.”
Beryl leaves behind three children and a family already stretched by grief. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in the coming days.
