Raila Odinga sister Beryl Achieng laid to rest in Siaya

Beryl Lilian Achieng’ Mungwari Odinga, the younger sister of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, died on 25 November at the age of 73 while receiving treatment in a Nairobi hospital. She leaves a legacy of resilience, excellence, and public service. The family will lay her to rest at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family cemetery in Siaya County, specifically at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, the ancestral home where several Odinga relatives, including her late brother Fidel Odinga, are already buried.

Burial preparations are underway under the leadership of Raila Odinga Junior, who has been appointed head of the family’s planning committee. After a series of meetings with family members and elders from the Jaramogi lineage, the final resting place was confirmed. Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who delegated the planning role to his nephew, also took part in the consultations. Further funeral arrangements and details will be released by the family in due course.

Ms. Odinga’s professional career spanned teaching, law, and urban planning. In Zimbabwe she broke barriers as the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, playing a central role in shaping post‑independence urban policy. Later, as Town Planning Director for Chitungwiza, she helped modernize the town’s framework, regulate peri‑urban sprawl, and influence its development trajectory for decades. Her contributions to urban development continue to be felt both in Kenya and abroad.

Her personal life was marked by hardship. She married Otieno Ambala in 1974; the marriage ended with his death in 1985 while he was incarcerated at Kodiaga Prison. Following this, she fled Kenya, sought asylum in Zimbabwe, and rebuilt her life and career. Her story of overcoming adversity has inspired many.

The passing of Beryl Lilian Achieng’ Mungwari Odinga has prompted an outpouring of tributes that celebrate her dedication to public service. Her commitment to excellence and resilience in the face of adversity will be remembered as a shining example of leadership and dedication.