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How Ida Odinga’s UNEP vetting became more of praise than accountability

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Ida Odinga, the spouse of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and now a nominee as Kenya’s representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has appeared before Parliament for vetting.

Her interview for this plum position, however, appeared to many more like a praising ceremony than an accountability and vetting session meant to gauge her suitability for the role.

On Friday, February 20, 2026, the widely labelled “Min Piny” appeared before the Nelson Koech-led Defence Committee for vetting. Applause and cheers were more pronounced than the interview questions.

Millie congratulating Ida

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, when it was her turn to ask questions, took the microphone and told the chair that she had no question to ask.

Instead, she used the moment to shower the nominee with praise. She began by recognising Ida Odinga’s achievements while serving in various capacities, including her fight for social justice and human rights, and her role during the Second Liberation, where she even lost her job because of her husband’s criticism of the Moi era.

She went on to state that Ida Odinga is overqualified for the assignment. She added that in Parliament and even in the committee, they had never seen such a level of skill displayed in a CV.

She further said that Ida Odinga has worked with every regime, as displayed in the photo gallery embedded in her CV, terming her an ambassador par excellence, a title that should ideally be crowned after vetting, approval by the committee, and swearing-in at State House by the President.

However, that did not seem to be the case.

“Mama Ida is overqualified for this position. I would also like to congratulate her. I don’t know if in this committee or this parliament we have ever seen this kind of expertise,” Millie said (while holding Ida’s CV).

“Ida Odinga is an ambassador par excellence; she has worked with every government.”

Wamuratha praising Ida

Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha followed suit, pouring accolades on Ida and telling her that she came prepared for the vetting and that they were actually intimidated by her, saying, “Umetuuzia uoga na tumenunua.” It was after this that she tendered her question.

“I will first congratulate Mama Ida for this appointment. The other thing is that you came in prepared, as local Kenyans would say, ‘umetuuzia uoga na tuumenunua‘. By the way you presented yourself, tumenunua,” Wamuratha stated.

Nelson Koech’s warning

This trend caught the attention of the chair, who was forced to step in, noting that it sounded as though parliamentarians who were supposed to vet the nominee were starting with congratulations instead of questions.

He added that congratulations should come later, if and when the committee approves her for the role.

“I have to caution members. It sounds like most of you are doing well; congratulations. We are in for a vetting exercise; you will have that opportunity as a committee to relay your congratulatory message later if you do approve the nominee,” Koech stated.

Nelson Koech went ahead to state that Ida was very prepared for the grilling session and was ready to answer any question.

“Let’s restrict ourselves to the vetting process; Mama Ida can take any question she is prepared for,” he added.

Wetang’ula’s vetting exercise

Ida Odinga, who declared her net worth as Ksh500 million, faced a vetting that seemed to contradict other vetting sessions, such as those of Cabinet Secretary nominees.

In previous vetting exercises, the chair, normally the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, has been firm and often cautions nominees against speaking as if they already hold the office.

Nominees are usually advised to phrase their responses as “should I be given this role” or “if approved.” However, during Ida’s vetting, some MPs deviated and spoke as if they had already approved her.

While the role Ida Odinga has played in society cannot be understated, especially her contribution to social justice, the process was meant to be constitutional. Probing questions could have taken precedence over accolades.

Eroding her status

In the past, Her appointment raised questions about whether it was a demotion or a promotion. Political analysts such as Herman Manyora viewed it as a demotion and an attempt to localise her influence.

He argued that she should not take the role, suggesting it would make her appear ordinary, thereby diminishing the status she holds in the Luo community and the entire country.

According to him, given her stature, she should be someone leaders run to for advice.

Even a photo of a politician like President Ruto having breakfast with her would, in his view, speak volumes in a country where political perception often carries significant weight.

Ida emulating Mama Ngina

After Raila Odinga’s death on October 15, 2025, Manyora stated that Ida Odinga should emulate Mama Ngina Kenyatta, the mother of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, in how she has conducted herself since 1978 following the death of Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta. He noted how she has navigated several political cycles without being heavily involved in active politics.

The vetting outcome

However, the issue is not about her résumé; it is about the process. By appearing to congratulate her prematurely, some MPs risked creating the perception that the outcome was predetermined. And perception, in matters of public trust, is everything.

Vetting serves three key purposes. First, it allows legislators to assess technical competence. Second, it provides a platform to examine potential conflicts of interest or political considerations.

Third, it demonstrates transparency to the public. When tough but fair questions are replaced with praise, these objectives are weakened.

Although Ida Odinga was grilled by a handful of MPs, the billion-dollar question that emerged was this: was she being vetted for her suitability, or was she simply being praised?-PeopleDaily.digital

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National Assembly dismisses claims Sacco Bill is being rushed through Parliament

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The National Assembly has dismissed reports that the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is being rushed through Parliament, saying the proposed law is still undergoing public participation.

Through infographics shared on Facebook on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Parliament said misleading information had been circulating online about the Bill, formally known as the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 32 of 2025.

Bill was published in June 2025

The National Assembly said the Bill was published on June 30, 2025, and had remained under consideration for more than 12 months.

It rejected suggestions that lawmakers were fast-tracking the proposed amendments without allowing enough time for scrutiny.

According to Parliament, the lengthy period between the publication of the Bill and its current consideration shows that it is not being rushed.

Bill currently before the National Assembly committee

The Sacco Societies Amendment Bill is currently before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

The committee is conducting public participation and receiving views from members of the public and other stakeholders.

The submissions are expected to help the committee assess the proposed amendments before presenting its recommendations to the National Assembly.

What happens after public participation?

After the public participation process is concluded, the committee will prepare a report containing its findings and recommendations.

Parliament said the views submitted by members of the public and stakeholders could inform further amendments to the Bill.

The proposed legislation will then proceed to the National Assembly for consideration by MPs.

This means the Bill has not yet completed the legislative process and could still be amended based on the submissions received during public participation.

Bill will be forwarded to Senate

The National Assembly also clarified that the Bill will not proceed directly for presidential assent after being passed by MPs.

Because the proposed legislation concerns county governments, it will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration in accordance with the Constitution.

The Senate will be required to consider the Bill before it can complete the parliamentary process and be presented for presidential assent.

Parliament urged members of the public to rely on verified information about the Sacco Societies Amendment Bill instead of unconfirmed reports circulating online-PeopleDaily.Digital.

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Digital house-hunting platform bets on technology to reshape Nairobi’s rental market

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – A growing shift towards digital property searches is changing how Kenyans find rental homes, with real estate technology platform Reemio positioning itself as a solution to longstanding challenges.

This included fraudulent listings, costly house searches and limited market transparency.

As younger, tech-savvy consumers turn to online platforms to make purchasing decisions, the company says digitizing the rental process could improve efficiency for both tenants and landlords while lowering transaction costs.

“Our niche is to solve the problem of house hunting and also bring trust into that process. We use technology to connect renters and landlords,” said Kimani.

Kimani said the platform seeks to address inefficiencies that have traditionally made house hunting expensive and time-consuming.

Instead of physically visiting multiple properties, users can browse verified listings, take virtual tours, compare amenities and access information on additional costs such as water charges, electricity bills and service fees before scheduling physical viewings.

Beyond improving convenience for tenants, Reemio argues that technology can help landlords reduce marketing costs, shorten vacancy periods and reach a wider pool of prospective tenants, including Kenyans living abroad.

The company says its platform also generates market data that can help property owners and developers better understand evolving consumer preferences, although its long-term impact will depend on wider adoption of digital property platforms and continued investment in trustworthy online real estate marketplaces-Capitalfm.co.ke.

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ORPP edges two parties closer to joining Kenya’s political arena

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The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has issued a notice for the provisional registration of two proposed political parties, opening a seven-day window for members of the public to lodge objections.

In a notice published by the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the ORPP announced that the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) and the People’s Alternative Voice (PAV) are in the process of being provisionally registered under Section 5(2)(a) of the Political Parties Act.

The ORPP, a State office established under Section 33 of the Political Parties Act and Article 260 of the Constitution, said its mandate includes registering and regulating political parties as well as administering the Political Parties Fund.

According to the notice, the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) has adopted pink, white and sky blue as its official party colours, with the slogan “Change – Mageuzi.” The party’s symbol is the acronym SDP enclosed inside a circle.

The party’s listed founder members are Nyangong’ Duncan Nyumbah, Omwandasi Jared Dishon and Kinyua Mary Wacuka.

The founders of PAV are listed as Odenyo John Fitzgerald Elly, Nyando Rachel Mmboga and Ali Hussein Kiplangat.

The Registrar said particulars of the two proposed political parties have been published on the ORPP website to facilitate public scrutiny as required by law.

Any person wishing to oppose the provisional registration of either party has seven days from the date of publication of the notice to submit objections either in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties at Lion Place, Fourth Floor, Waiyaki Way at Karuna Close, Nairobi.

The provisional registration marks the first step in the legal process of establishing a political party in Kenya.

Kenya has 91 fully registered political parties. The ORPP’s updated register indicates that, as of January 2026, there were 91 parties that had met the legal requirements for full registration under the Political Parties Act-STAR.

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