Kenya's political scene is renowned for its unpredictability, from betrayals to strange 'marriages, to relatives clamouring for the same positions. Several members of famous families such as the Odinga's, the Moi's, and the Kenyatta's are well known to be in active politics.
However, there are those who choose to keep their family ties out of the public eye, the stand out relatives being a mother-in-law who sits across her daughter's husband in Parliament.
Here's the list of 7 Kenyan politicians you didn't know are related.
Uhuru Kenyatta and Raychelle Omamo
On September 2, 2018, President Uhuru’s eldest son, Jomo Kenyatta finally married his long-time fiancée Fiona Achola Ngobi in a classy all-white wedding ceremony held at State House in Nairobi.
This translated into Uhuru turning into Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Raychelle Omamo's brother-in-law, as Jomo's wife is her niece.
Achola is also granddaughter to the late Cabinet Minister and MP of Bondo, William Odongo Omamo.
Nelson Koech and Beatrice Kones
Nelson Koech, the MP for Belgut in Kericho County, is currently serving in the August House alongside his ‘mother’ who is the MP for Bomet East, Beatrice Kones, after marrying her daughter.
To compound the matter, Kones vied against her son in the last General Election making it hard for Koech to decide if he should support his mother-in-law or brother-in-law.
“Whenever we are in Parliament, we work very well. I will contribute on the floor of the house and she will do the same.
"But sometimes whenever I want to say something controversial, I will have my female colleagues keep her out to allow me to say something crazy. They also text me if they are discussing their own things, say in the restaurant area, so I can keep off,” Koech once revealed during an interview.
Cornel Rasanga Amoth and Patrick Omwanda Amoth
Siaya County Governor Cornel Rasanga needs little introduction, having trumped former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, in the 2017 elections on an ODM party ticket.
However, the coronavirus pandemic has seen his brother Dr Patrick Omwanda Amoth grab the headlines, in his role as the Ministry of Health Director-General.
The governor's brother was appointed to his new role by President Uhuru back in August 2019.
Raila Odinga and Jakoyo Midiwo
Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo ties to ODM party leader Raila Odinga is a public secret, with the fact that they are actually cousins constantly touted after their bitter fallout in the run-up to the 2017 general elections.
On Sunday, February 9, the two finally reunited at a funeral in Ugunja Sub-County.
Midiwo went on to disclose that he had sat down with Odinga for a discussion and resolved that the country was more important than the two.
"Together with my brother Raila, we have sat down and talked. Kenya is bigger than me. Henceforth nobody should try their tricks and games on our party leader Raila, I will definitely fight you," he stated.
Moses Wetangula and Tim Wanyonyi
Timothy Wanyonyi, Nairobi’s Westlands MP, who is serving a second term in office, is actually his brother to Bungoma Senator and former NASA co-principal Moses Wetangula.
Wanyonyi, speaking on Citizen TV, on Friday, September 28, revealed that after he had been shot at by thugs in 1998, the incident resulted in his disability.
He then went on to reveal that his elder brother handled all his clients at Wetangula and Company Advocates, where he worked, in a bid to protect him from stress related to his disability.
"In the office where I was working, they withdrew all my clients, they withdrew all the files. I could go to the office and sit there idly. For several days, in fact, for more than a year, I was in that office doing absolutely nothing," Wanyonyi emotionally recalled.
Kalonzo Musyoka and Jane Muasya
Back in August 2017, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka caused quite a stir after he nominated his sister-in-law - Jane Muasya, to be a Wiper senator.
Jane is his wife Pauline’s sister, and the fact that his announcement came just weeks after he nominated his eldest son, Kennedy Kalonzo, to be an MP in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), did not help his cause.
Jane currently serves as a Nominated Member of the Nairobi County assembly.
Elizabeth Ongoro and Otiende Amollo
Former Ombudsman Otiende AmoLlo's entry into elective politics meant that he could finally sit with his elder sister – nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro.
Ongoro's name came into limelight when she trumped several men in Kasarani during 2007 polls. ODM leader Raila went on to appoint her to the cabinet as an assistant minister.
A bonus mention that didn't make it to the list because of lack of political links is Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, who is a brother-in-law to sports journalist Chiko Lawi.
Mutua's wife, Lillian Ng’ang’a, sister - Angela Ng'ang'a is actually married to Chico Lawi.
