Raila Odinga’s family has always been at the heart of his story, shaping the man many Kenyans know simply as Baba. Beyond politics and public life, the Odinga family has built a legacy of love, resilience, and unity that stretches across generations. Raila was married to Ida Betty Odinga, born Ida Anyango Oyoo in 1950. The two met in the early 1970s while Raila was teaching at the University of Nairobi and Ida was working as a teacher. They married in 1973, beginning a lifelong partnership that endured the highs and lows of political struggles, detentions, and triumphs. Ida became a strong figure in her own right, known for her work in education and women’s empowerment.
