Azimio One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has showered praise on his wife Ida Odinga as she turns 72-years-old.
Through his social media, Raila expressed how Ida is by far the best thing that has ever happened to him.
“On each of your birthdays like today, I reflect on how you are by far the best thing that ever happened to me. Your strength, resilience, wisdom, and prayers have brought our family this far. Happy Birthday, my dear Ida Betty,” Raila said.
Raila went on to note that Mama Ida’s prayers, resilience and wisdom is what has held their family together in the journey of life, up to where they are.
The couple has been married for over 45 years and has four children: Fidel (who died in 2015), Rosemary, Winnie and Raila Junior.
The two met at the University of Nairobi while Ida was a Bachelor of Arts student while Raila worked at the Department of Engineering.
Kenyans on social media joined in to wish mama Ida a happy birthday with Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party also sending birthday wishes.
“Mama, as you begin this new year that God has added you, please know that Kenyans love (you). Long live Mama Ida Betty Odinga,” a post by ODM read.
ODM party member and Nairobi County Women Representative Esther Passaris was also not left behind, with the legislator urging mama Ida to stay strong and continue supporting the former premier.
“Happy birthday Mama. I know you’re probably going through a lot right now, but I want you to know that God is in control and everything will be okay. Continue staying strong and being the support that you’ve always been to Baba. The country is behind you. God bless,” Passaris said.
When the fight for multiparty politics was at its height Raila was detained by the then President Daniel Toroitich Moi for nine years.
During that time Ida held together the family, working as a teacher to feed the family.