Ida Odinga Declares Her Net Worth is KSh 500 Million During UNEP Ambassador Vetting

Mama Ida Odinga has disclosed that her personal net worth is approximately KSh 500 million during her vetting for the role of Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). She confirmed ownership of properties beyond the Odinga family estate, which is famously linked to her late husband, Raila Odinga.

Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations on Friday, February 20, Ida highlighted the distinction between her personal wealth and the broader Odinga family assets. “There are things that belong to me as Ida, and then there are those belonging to the Odinga family. My net worth is about KSh 500 million,” she stated.

The Odinga Family Empire

The Odinga family’s fortune, built primarily by the late Raila Odinga, is estimated at over KSh 2 billion. This wealth comes from a combination of real estate and strategic investments in shares, with East Africa Spectre serving as the flagship company. Founded in 1971 under the name Standard Processing Equipment Construction, the company initially produced steel doors and windows before shifting focus to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and cylinder manufacturing. Ida Odinga also holds shares in the firm.

Raila Odinga famously financed the venture while lecturing at the University of Nairobi, selling his German car to acquire equipment left behind in Uganda after the expulsion of Asians by Idi Amin.

In addition to Spectre, the family owns Be Energy, an investment managed through Pan African Petroleum Company. Several Odinga relatives, including Raila Junior, Oburu Odinga, and Rosemary Odinga, hold significant shares in the company.

During the vetting session, Ida was also questioned about her potential contributions as Kenya’s UNEP envoy, including expanding the country’s involvement in carbon markets and attracting climate financing for developing nations. She highlighted her social networks and fundraising experience as key tools she would use to advance Kenya’s environmental agenda.

Ida emphasized her commitment to raising awareness on climate issues and boosting Kenya’s role in multilateral carbon trading agreements to ensure greater access to climate finance.