A light-hearted revelation by Ruth Odinga about her youthful romance with Richard Onyonka has sparked excitement and laughter online after she publicly declared herself his “first true love."
Ruth made the remarks during the funeral service of Senator Onyonka’s mother in Mosocho, Kisii County, where mourners gathered to celebrate the life of the late matriarch.
Speaking warmly and humorously, the veteran politician recalled their youthful days when she was a student at Asumbi Girls High School while Onyonka attended Kisii School.
"Richard as you hear him being called Momoima, I’ve seen you’ve got so many kids around. He also has wives, but the one he started life with, when I was a young girl at Asumbi Girls, and he was in Kisii Boys those days, was yours truly, Ruth Odinga,” she said.
Yaani Ruth Odinga ndio alikuwa First girlfriend to Senator Richard Onyonka pic.twitter.com/5835jVkizO
— Abdulahi Adan (@AbdulahiAdan10) May 15, 2026
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Her unexpected revelation drew laughter from the crowd and quickly became a talking point, especially coming just days after Senator Onyonka openly discussed his large family and polygamous lifestyle.
During a recent gathering, the Kisii Senator disclosed that he has 12 children from several wives, saying he has never hidden his family from the public.
"My children are actually 12. Yes. And their mothers are known," the Senator stated.
Onyonka emphasized that he is a proud polygamous man and maintains close relationships with all his children and their mothers. According to the Senator, his family structure has always been transparent within both his social and political circles.
One of the most notable revelations surrounding his private life was his confirmation that he is married to former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission commissioner Roselyn Akombe.
Dr Akombe gained international attention in 2017 after resigning from the electoral commission ahead of Kenya’s repeat presidential election.
Onyonka reportedly confirmed the marriage while hosting friends and colleagues at his Kitengela home, where he pointed to photographs of Dr Akombe alongside his late mother as proof of their close family bond.