ODM leader Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga, has advised women in business not to tempt fate by entrusting their hard-earned money to their husbands, warning that doing so could lead to unintended consequences—such as encouraging polygamy.
Addressing a gathering of businesswomen at Ratang’a market in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, Ida, a former teacher and long-time advocate for women’s empowerment, urged women to open their own bank accounts instead of handing over money to their spouses for safekeeping.
“My beloved women, I speak to you as a fellow businesswoman: Do not give your husbands money to keep for you at home,” she said. According to her, the money may encourage a man to marry another wife.
Ida emphasised that personal bank accounts are the safest way for women to manage and grow their finances. She noted that entrusting cash to others, even spouses, can place both business and personal security at risk.
“I’m urging all women in business here to open bank accounts. Banks safeguard your money and ensure it’s available whenever you need it,” she said.
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She expressed concern that some women still struggle with the basic processes of banking, despite the long-standing presence of financial institutions in the country.
“No woman should find it difficult to open a bank account in this era,” she said. “My own mother opened a bank account in 1937 while still living with her parents in Kakamega. If she could do it nearly a century ago, what’s stopping modern women today?”
Mrs Odinga called on women to embrace a culture of saving and entrepreneurship, stating that economic empowerment was essential for both personal growth and community development.
“Let us take loans to grow our businesses and save the profits for reinvestment,” she said. “That’s the path to economic prosperity.”
She further advised women to be mindful of how they spend their earnings, cautioning against excessive spending on beauty and entertainment at the expense of long-term financial growth.
“Don’t spend all your money buying clothes just to impress when visiting your in-laws,” she said. “It’s fine to spend a small portion on personal needs, but the bulk should go towards development and investment.”
Food production
Turning to agriculture, she challenged residents to make better use of the region’s fertile land to boost food production and ensure household food security.
“Ndhiwa has some of the most fertile soils for crop production,” she noted. “Let’s make full use of this land to feed ourselves and generate income.”
Her remarks were echoed by Homa Bay Woman Rep Dr Joyce Osogo, who encouraged women to commit to wealth creation as a route to transforming their lives.
Dr Osogo highlighted the construction of a new ultra-modern market at Ratang’a Trading Centre as part of her office’s efforts to support women’s economic activities.
“In collaboration with the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), we have built this market to help women create wealth and uplift their standards of living,” she said.
Both leaders urged women to adopt a forward-looking approach to money and business, investing, saving and building for future generations rather than living solely for the present.