Kenya was struck on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, by the news of Beryl Achieng Odinga’s passing.
The younger sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Beryl came from a prominent family, yet she forged her own path, building a life defined by determination, resilience, and meaningful impact.
Beyond her family name, she left a legacy that spanned nations and sectors, shaping the communities she served. This article traces her journey, from early life and education to her pioneering achievements in Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Early Life and Education
Beryl completed her Form Six (A-Levels) in December 1972, laying the foundation for dual careers in teaching and law. Her formative years were shaped by a strong commitment to education and public service, qualities that would guide her professional and personal life.
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Growing up in the Odinga household, she witnessed the political currents of the time firsthand but maintained a focus on her own goals, quietly building her skills and knowledge for future challenges.
Journey to Zimbabwe
Beryl’s personal life took a dramatic turn in the 1970s. She married Otieno Ambala in 1974, but the marriage reportedly became abusive. By the late 1970s or early 1980s, she left Kenya with her two children to seek refuge elsewhere.
Zimbabwe, newly independent and full of opportunity, became her sanctuary. Granted asylum, Beryl rebuilt her life and pursued a career in public service.
After successfully securing residency, she achieved a historic milestone: she was appointed Town Clerk of Mutare, the country’s third-largest city, becoming the first Black person to hold the office.
This achievement set a precedent for inclusive leadership, showing that women, immigrants, and black professionals could hold senior roles even in societies emerging from segregation.
As Town Clerk, Beryl was involved in urban administration at a critical time. Post-independence cities faced rapid population growth, infrastructure pressures, and increased expectations for governance.
She contributed to efforts to modernise urban planning and promote more inclusive municipal management, helping shape the city’s development framework.
Beryl later served as Company Secretary at the Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe, further establishing herself as an experienced and capable administrator within the public sector.
Return to Kenya and Nairobi Water Appointment
After decades abroad, Beryl returned to Kenya, bringing extensive experience from her years in Zimbabwe. In January 2020, she was appointed to the board of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) and later became Chairperson. She maintained a low public profile, focusing on her responsibilities and the organisation’s work.
Her life was not without challenges. Her first marriage ended amid reports of domestic abuse, prompting her relocation to Zimbabwe. Despite these hardships, she rebuilt her life, first abroad and later back in Kenya. Those who knew her remember her as a person of quiet strength and humility.
Beryl also maintained connections with peers from her schooling days; in 2023, she noted that she had been classmates with notable Kenyan leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka and Anyang Nyong’o, reflecting a lifelong engagement with networks of public service and leadership.
Following her death on 25 November 2025, tributes highlighted her achievements and remembered her not solely as Raila's sister but as a figure who broke barriers and contributed to public institutions across two nations.
