Beryl Achieng: Photos of Raila Odinga's little-known sister who was Kalonzo's classmate

The Odinga family has been thrown into fresh mourning following the sudden death of Beryl Achieng Odinga, the younger sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

Her passing was confirmed by Ruth Odinga, who paid a heartfelt tribute to her sister in a Facebook post.

"It is with a heavy heart, but accepting the will of God, that we announce the sudden passing of Beryl Achieng Odinga," Ruth wrote.

"Beryl was a loving mother to Ami Auma, Chizi and Taure," she added. "She was sister to Senator Oburu Oginga, Rt Hon Raila Odinga, Akinyi Wenwa and myself, among others."

"We are thankful for the invaluable gift of the time we were privileged to share with her and for the profound impact she had on all who knew her."

Beryl, who kept a notably low public profile compared to her politically active siblings, was regarded as a devoted mother and a steady presence within the family.

During Oburu Odinga's birthday celebration in 2023, Beryl shared that she had been classmates with some of Kenya's leaders, including Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Her death comes barely weeks after the passing of her brother, Raila Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 in India. The ODM leader suffered a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment at an Ayurvedic hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala.

Raila's death triggered a seven-day national mourning period and an outpouring of tributes from global leaders recognising his decades-long contribution as a statesman and champion of democracy.

His body was returned to Kenya on October 16, where thousands of mourners thronged the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to receive him.

A subsequent public viewing and state funeral, relocated to the Moi International Sports Centre due to swelling crowds, was marred by stampedes that resulted in fatalities and several injuries amid police crowd-control efforts.

Raila was laid to rest on October 19, 2025, in a private ceremony at the family's home in Bondo, next to his father, independence hero Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.