Ida Odinga has offered advice to wives of politicians including First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Rachel Ruto in terms of handling affairs with respect to their husbands' political decisions.
During an interview with the Nation, Ida drew lessons from her life being married to opposition leader Raila Odinga urging the wives not to burn bridges prematurely depending on which side their husbands aligned themselves to.
“Never inherit your husband’s political enemies, inherit their friends. When you are thinking that this is a political enemy, they have already shaken hands, leaving you with egg on your face,” she conveyed.
[caption caption="Margaret Kenyatta, Ida Odinga and Rachel Ruto"]
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She expressed support for the handshake deal between her husband and President Uhuru Kenyatta describing it as a crucial move that was necessary for the country to have peace.
“There has been a lot of tension, and with tension comes a lot of insecurity. It is not good for us a nation to live in that state. I am happy that it has toned down the political temperatures.
“The handshake has created a platform where people can talk about issues that affect them rather than at each other. Let’s try and support it and cultivate peace and harmony in our country,” she told the newspaper.
When questioned on her relationship with Margaret and Rachel, she disclosed that there was no bad blood between them and that it was the politics that had affected their relationship.
“Let me tell you something, there has never been anything between me and Margaret or me and Rachel. We may not see each other every day but we are friends. When we meet we hug. But the politics has only separated us,” she added.
Ida empathized with mothers stating that they are the ones who suffered most during demonstrations that occurred after the August 7 polls as Raila called for protests to object the results of the election.
“I have in my mind this picture of a mother holding a baby in one hand while dragging another one as they fled from the violence. It is what comes to my mind when I think of what we went through,” she explained.
[caption caption="Margaret Kenyatta and Ida Odinga"]
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