The Odinga family has been thrown into mourning once again following the death of Beryl Achieng Odinga, the younger sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The news was shared by Raila’s elder sister and Kisumu County Woman Representative, Ruth Odinga, who confirmed that Beryl died on Tuesday, November 25. She offered no details about the illness that led to her passing, only describing the loss as “deeply heartbreaking.”
Beryl, a daughter of Kenya’s independence hero Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his first wife, Mary Auma, grew up in one of the country’s most politically influential families. Yet she chose a path far from the public spotlight, carving out her own legacy away from the intensity of national politics.
In her tribute, Ruth painted the picture of a woman whose influence was felt more in private spaces than on political podiums.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of Beryl Achieng Odinga… Mother to Ami Auma, Chizi and Taurus,” she wrote, recalling her sister as a gentle soul whose presence shaped the family quietly but profoundly. “We take solace that she rests safely in the Lord’s arms.”
Though discreet, Beryl led an accomplished life. She was both a trained teacher and a lawyer, and is remembered as the only Odinga sibling who completed her education entirely in Kenya. Her career included notable leadership roles, among them serving as Chairperson of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company.
Family sources revealed that Beryl had endured a prolonged period of illness, frequently seeking treatment in various hospitals before succumbing on Tuesday at a Nairobi facility. The cause of her illness remained unclear at the time of publication.
Beryl married businessman Otieno Abala in 1974, though the union later ended, reportedly over irreconcilable differences. It remains unknown whether she remarried.
Her passing comes barely six weeks after the death of her more famous brother, Raila Odinga, who died in India on October 15 following a cardiac arrest. For a family already navigating intense grief, Beryl’s death compounds an already painful chapter.
Although she stayed away from politics, Beryl’s life embodied a quieter form of impact one rooted in service, education, and family. Her death marks the end of a chapter within the Odinga lineage, leaving loved ones and close associates grappling with yet another profound loss.
