Another blow to Odinga family as Raila's youngest sister passes away

The late Raila Odinga with Beryl Achieng Odinga.[Courtesy]

The family of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga has been plunged into grief again following the death of Beryl Achieng, the younger sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Achieng’s demise comes a month after the family lost Raila, in a dark year marked by a period of deep personal losses.

Her passing was confirmed by her sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who described the loss as immense.

Beryl, who had been battling illness for some time, died in a Nairobi hospital at the age of 78. She leaves behind three children.

She missed Odinga’s burial on October 19, as she was unwell at the time.

Unlike her politically active siblings, Beryl maintained a relatively private life, but her contributions to public service were notable.

She made history as the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe, and later served as Chairperson of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC). Her work earned her respect both locally and regionally for her dedication to improving public administration and community service.

“Her passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but we find comfort knowing she is safe in the Lord’s arms. She was a loving mother and a dedicated sister who always put family and service first,” said Ruth.

Despite her quiet profile, friends and colleagues remember her as compassionate, hardworking, and deeply committed to uplifting those around her.

She was married to the late Otieno Ambala in 1974, sought asylum in Zimbabwe, where she lived and worked with the Ministry of Local Government. It was during this time that she helped shape urban planning in the newly independent nation.

She also served as the chairperson of the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme.

Her elder brother Oburu Oginga described her demise as a big blow to the family. “While we are deeply saddened by her passing and the immense void it leaves in our lives, we take comfort in knowing that she rests safely in the Lord’s embrace,” said Oburu.

Her demise comes barely a month after their brother Raila passed away in India after suffering a cardiac arrest. Raila, too, had sought treatment abroad.

Prior to his death, Raila had been struggling with illness and shared his predicaments with political allies and close family members.

At the time, his ally, President William Ruto, recounted how Raila had shared details about his health and how he was feeling.

He had contemplated seeking treatment in Germany and China before settling on India. He had also shared with President Ruto how he was struggling healthwise and was considering possible solutions. At the time of his death, Raila was unwell, but reportedly recovering before he collapsed and was pronounced dead.

His passing left gloom in the family. Yesterday, relatives and close family friends, still struggling to come to terms with Raila’s loss, trooped back to Jaramogi’s Kango home for another period of mourning, this time for Beryl.

According to Moses Ouko, a resident of Bondo, the year has been unfair to the Odinga family. “We are yet to come to terms with the loss of Raila, but there is another death. It is really unfortunate what has happened,” he said.

The turn of events adds to a dark chapter the family has faced in recent years, as key members battled health challenges.

In June 2010, while serving as Prime Minister, Raila was abruptly admitted to Nairobi Hospital due to a severe headache at age 65, after apparently hitting his head in a vehicle three weeks earlier.

In 2011, while in office, Odinga flew to Germany for treatment, including a procedure on his right eye, which caused him to tear up in public.

In June 2017, at the height of the presidential campaigns, Raila, flying the NASA coalition flag, fainted and needed urgent medical care at Mombasa Hospital. The incident was largely blamed on fatigue from the campaign trail; he was 72.

More recently, in 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Raila spent several days at a Nairobi hospital after contracting the virus. Upon discharge, he was upbeat, and his media team released clips on social media showing him exercising and having light conversations with his wife, Ida. He was 76.