Mama Ida Odinga, wife to ODM party leader Raila Odinga, has left Kenyans with diverse opinions after a dramatic entrance at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay County, arriving in a private helicopter.
The recently installed Canon of Honour for the Parish of St Peter's ACK Nyamira in Bondo was at the university to pick up her daughter, Winnie Odinga.
The blue chopper, which was carrying Ida, landed at the university grounds mid-morning on Tuesday. Upon arrival, Ida was warmly welcomed by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
Shortly after a small chit-chat between the two women leaders, Winnie could be seen making her way into the chopper to join her mother before the chopper flew away.
Spectators, who did not expect the impromptu visit, were cleared from the landing area to avoid any incidents.
Video footage, which was seen by Kenyans.co.ke, quickly went viral, drawing diverse views and reactions.
Taking to social media, a section of Kenyans hailed Mama Ida Odinga, praising her for taking care of her children even after they were grown and independent.
“Even when children become adults, they often remain 'a child' to their mother,” one Kenyan said.
Other Kenyans were, however, angered by the move, faulting the family of Raila, who is currently in the broad-based government, for misusing taxpayers' money.
Winnie, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), had been visiting the university for the closing ceremony of the Innovate 254 Hackathon hosted by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
This is not the first time leaders have flaunted private choppers while visiting public forums. The move, mostly if not always, is viewed as a spendthrift behaviour at the expense of taxpayers' money.
Recently, opposition leaders, including DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, faulted Kenya Kwanza leaders, including current DP Kithure Kindiki, for misusing public funds by flaunting choppers.
“The money he’s flying around in helicopters could fix hospitals and schools. Instead, it's being thrown around in the name of empowerment. But young people are paying attention,” Gachagua says.
