Alikua moto kama pasi – Ruth Odinga recalls high school romance with senator Onyonka
By Ascah Mwango, May 15, 2026Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga broke the solemn mood at a funeral service in Kisii County after publicly confirming a long-kept secret – her teenage romance with Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.
Addressing mourners on Friday, May 15, 2026, during the burial of the Senator’s mother, Mama Teresia Nyaboke, Ruth Odinga used lighthearted humour to ease tensions and entertain the crowd.
Speaking in Swahili, the Kisumu Woman Rep took the audience back to their high school days, describing the Senator as a formidable “flame” during their youth.
“Mimi nataka kusema hivi… Richard Onyonka alikuwa boyfriend wangu nikiwa Asumbi Girls,” she declared, drawing heavy laughter and cheers from the congregation.
She went on to describe the intensity of the young Senator’s charm at the time, stating: “Yeye alikuwa Kisii School, mimi nilikuwa Asumbi Girls. Hiyo wakati alikuwa moto kama pasi ya Philips!”.
The revelation, shared at the neighbouring schools’ expense, served as a nostalgic trip through the teenage years of two of the region’s most prominent political figures.
The high school relationship blossomed while Ruth Odinga was a student at Asumbi Girls High School and Richard Onyonka was at the prestigious Kisii School.
While funeral services are typically somber affairs, Ruth Odinga’s candidness provided a moment of viral entertainment that has since trended across social media platforms.
Many people have praised the Woman Representative for her ability to bring “humanity” and humour to a difficult day for the Onyonka family.