Raila joins mourners in burial of Odundo Ambitho in Uyoma
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga was among the top dignitaries to grace the burial of renowned and veteran scholar Odundo Ambitho, father to Angela Ambitho, in his Uyoma home, Rarieda Constituency, on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Odinga was accompanied by his elder brother and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, in mourning the scholar who passed on on April 18, 2025.
Other leaders present in the veteran’s send-off included ODM politician and area MP Otiende Amollo, the Parliamentary Budget Committee chair and Alego Usonga Member of Parliament (MP) Sam Atandi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, among other MCAs and grassroots leaders from Nyanza.
Odundo was the father of Angela Akinyi Ambitho, the founder and chief executive officer of Infrotrack Research and Consulting.
Born on March 18, 1938, to a humble family in Lweya, South Uyoma, Naftali Enos Odundo Ambitho lived to become a prominent and towering figure whose lifelong contributions as a technocrat, mentor, and community elder impacted and shaped many people.
He married his wife, Selina, in 1970, and they lived together for over 50 years. Together they were blessed with seven children, including Rose Atieno, George Otieno, Steve Ambitho, Angela, and Derrick Ambitho, among others.
The former Maranda and Maseno School alumnus held his first job in Nairobi as a station clerk before he rose to station master after leaving school. He later got a scholarship to the Budapest University in 1960 to study economics and statistics.
He completed his PhD eight years later, where he returned home.
Life in public service
Upon his return to Kenya, he joined the Ministry of Finance and Planning as the Chief Statistician. He was later promoted to principal economist, a role that saw him help shape Kenya’s economic blueprint.
The departed also worked with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), now the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), in his checkered stint in the public service in Kenya.
He later retired to his cradle land to engage in farming in Muhoroni and still continued his community role, serving on the Koru Girls Board.
In his tribute to the veteran scholar, ODM’s deputy leader and Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir termed Odundo as a man of principle and purpose.
“His legacy is one of clarity, conviction, and kindness—qualities that endeared him to generations of professionals and citizens alike. Those who had the privilege of knowing him will remember his principled stance, disarming humour, and unwavering love for his family and country. As we join the family in mourning, we also celebrate a life so meaningfully lived – anchored in wisdom, purpose, and humility. May the Almighty grant his soul eternal rest and give comfort to all who mourn him,” Nassir stated in his tribute.
