- Residents around Ogande Girls High School want the institution renamed in honour of Ambassador Dr Ida Odinga.
- They cite her long association with the school and continued support for its library and infrastructure development.
- The appeal comes as the renowned educationist and Ogande Girls alumna marks her 76th birthday today.
Residents of Homa Bay County, especially the community around Ogande Girls High School, have appealed to the Ministry of Education to rename the institution after Ambassador Dr Ida Raila Odinga.
Speaking to Education News in Homa Bay town, the residents said Dr Ida is one of the most distinguished old girls of the school and has always given back to it. They cited her several contributions towards enriching the school library and improving its infrastructure over the years.
“She is one of the greatest old girls from the school who has always blessed the school together with her husband, the former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga,” said Mac Otieno, a resident and education stakeholder.
From Ogande Girls to teaching
Dr Ida Betty Anyango Oyoo Odinga was born on August 24, 1950, in Migori County. She comes from a family that valued service and discipline.
She attended Ogande Girls High School before proceeding to Highlands School, now Moi Girls High School Eldoret, for her A-levels and later joining the University of Nairobi.
After graduation, she began her teaching career at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi and later served at The Kenya High School.
Her teaching career was interrupted during the KANU era when her husband was detained as a political prisoner. She was expelled from her teaching position and from her house within the school compound because of her husband’s political activities, but she remained steadfast in raising her children and in public service.
In 1991, she founded the League of Kenya Women Voters to promote women’s participation in politics and served as its chairperson. She has also championed causes touching on women’s health, mentorship of schoolgirls and support for people living with disabilities.
Long association with Ogande Girls
Her relationship with Ogande Girls continued long after leaving the school.
In 2020, Dr Ida spearheaded plans for the Dr Ida Odinga Library, Research, Innovation and Resource Centre at the school, an initiative intended to strengthen learning and provide opportunities for students.
A fundraiser that year raised Sh176 million towards construction of the facility.
In September 2021, the Ida Odinga Trust donated 300 desks and 30 laptops to Ogande Girls, with Dr Ida saying the support was intended to provide learners with a conducive environment. She also donated sanitary towels to the school.
Her association with the school remains active. In February this year, she attended the annual Ogande Girls alumnae reunion, where she was identified as patron of the alumnae group and spoke about supporting girls’ education.
The residents argued that renaming Ogande Girls after her would be a fitting honour for a former teacher and alumna who has maintained strong links with her former school.
They said such recognition would also inspire current learners to value education, leadership and service to the community.
Dr Ida has since taken up a diplomatic role. President William Ruto nominated her in January 2026 as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The National Assembly approved her appointment in February, and she presented her credentials to United Nations Office at Nairobi Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura on April 8, 2026.
The residents said her achievements in education, public service and advocacy, together with her continued support for Ogande Girls, provide sufficient grounds for the Ministry of Education to consider their proposal.
They argued that naming the school after one of its most prominent alumnae would preserve her association with the institution while providing current and future generations of learners with an example of what education and service can achieve.
By Enock Okong’o
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