Leaders pour accolades to Mama Ida Odinga, awarded for her selfless service to community and country

Ida Odinga (seated) is crowned by Dr.Pheobe Asiyo (right) and Damaris Awino as Hekima Kaka Society Director Agnes Salome Awino (left) looks on. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Ida Betty Odinga has received an award for her selfless service to community and her country.

She was recognised for her great support towards health, education, women, peace, as well as boy and girl-child empowerment.

During the award ceremony organised by Hekima Kaka Society at Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, leaders thanked Ida for her exemplary leadership.

According to Agnes Salome, director of Hekima Kaka Society, the event was meant to honour Ida for outstanding and valuable contribution to the welfare of nationhood, education, equity and family life.

Hekima was founded in 2008 by Salome to address the plight of the boy-child and men in Kenya.

Former MP for Karachuonyo, Phoebe Asiyo, said she was impressed by Ida’s energy and commitment to drive positive change at the grassroots.

"Mama Ida is a woman of strong faith. I recall how she managed to raise her children single-handedly when her husband and ODM leader Raila Odinga was in detention and away from the country for a long period. You have done wonders in this country. Your passion for girl and boy-child and women empowerment cannot go unnoticed,” said Mrs Asiyo, who has advocated education of girl-child, women’s rights and gender equality.

She thanked Ida for playing "a huge part" behind the scenes in realising the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila, adding that it made the country more peaceful.

Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris said: "When Mama Ida gives you a smile, it's deep from her heart and not a fake one".

Ida was awarded with a mantle of authority or leadership to protect the interest of the community or clan by Tom Obondo, former Ndhiwa MP, who is the custodian of the mantle from the Komollo clan.

She criticised modern-day parents for not playing their role of taking good care of their children, resulting in the "many deviant behaviours".

At the event, Ida Odinga Trust signed an MoU with Hekima Kaka Society to continue in their activities of educating girls and boys.