Beryl Achieng: Raila’s Little Known Sister Who’s Kept Away From Limelight
Azimio Chief Raila Odinga and his brother Oburu Oginga are among the most recognizable political figures in the country, following in the footsteps of their father, Jaramogi.
Raila’s elder sister, Ruth Odinga, hasn’t been left behind either, Ruth has occupied several political positions including serving as Kisumu Deputy Governor between 2017 and 2022 before being re-elected to her current position as Kisumu Woman Representative in 2022.
Nonetheless, the former Prime Minister has another little-known sister known as Beryl Achieng’, who has largely kept a low profile with reports indicating that she dislikes the public limelight.
Beryl is the youngest in the Odinga Family.
Achieng, the daughter of Jaramogi’s first wife Mary Auma, is a professional teacher and also doubles up as a lawyer.
Speaking during the birthday of her brother Oburu Oginga held in Siaya on October 16, Beryl narrated why she chose to pursue law.
According to Beryl, she always found mathematics to be a tough subject while still in school.
Consequently, when she cleared her studies, she naturally preferred a career path that did not involve a lot of arithmetic.
During Oburu’s birthday, Achieng revealed that she was classmates with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o.
“We were in university together with him (Kalonzo) together with Anyang Nyong’o,” Beryl said during Oburu Oginga’s birthday party.
The same was echoed by Kalonzo at the same event in Siaya. At that specific moment, Raila had just introduced her sister to the public when she made the revelation.
ALSO READ:
- Kenyan Athlete Hellen Obiri Wins New York Marathon
- Ksh100,000 Fine For Kenyans Making Herbal Medicine Without Following Regulations
- Babu Owino Ranked Best Performing MP in Nairobi (LIST)
“Most people say they don’t know me, they only know Ruth, my elder sister,” Beryl said.
While addressing the crowd, Beryl also revealed that she is the only sibling in the Odinga family who attended school in Kenya.
According to Beryl, the reason why she is not as popular as her siblings is that she does not engage heavily in political activities, unlike her siblings.
Besides being a teacher, Beryl has also held various senior posts in her professional career.
For instance, in 2020, Beryl was appointed by the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) as the utility’s new Chairperson.
In 1974, Beryl got married to Otieno Abala, a real estate tycoon who would later, pursue elective politics. Unfortunately, Abala died of a heart attack in 1985 at the Kodiaga Prison in Kisumu.
Even so, Beryl’s marriage to Abala was marred with controversies ranging from Jaramogi’s disapproval of the union to claims of domestic violence.
Raila in his book, The Flame of Freedom, published in 2013 narrated how his sister struggled in the murky waters of an abusive marriage with the lawmaker.
In the book, Raila stated that he suspected Abala used the Odinga family as a stepping stone to catapult his political career given the family’s influence in the political scene.
Beryl Achieng: Raila’s Little Known Sister Who’s Kept Away From Limelight
