Raila Odinga’s sister and Kisumu Deputy Governor, Ruth Odinga, has denied insulting Veronicah Wanjiru, the first wife of Fidel Odinga, who was buried on Saturday in Bondo.
Ruth, who is Cord leader, Raila Odinga, sister, said she never talked about Wanjiru’s ability to bear children during the funeral service of Fidel Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on Saturday.
“I am a champion of women and I would never talk about that in public. I got to where I am because of championing for women. It would be against my principles to say such a thing,” Ruth told the Star on phone yesterday.
“What I said is that at first I was not in support of their marriage before I knew Veronicah well. What Oburu said is his own statement.”
Senator Emma Mbura criticised nominated MP Oburu Oginga’s sentiments that Wanjiru was barren as she could not get a child during her four-year marriage to Fidel Odinga.
She wants Oburu to apologise to all Kenyan women for “insulting them”. Ruth said she gets along well with Wanjiru and the widow of Fidel Odinga, Lwam Bekele. “I respect women because I am a woman. How can I say such a thing?” Ruth asked.
She said she knows a lot of women, even in her own family, who are barren but she would never talk about them in any forum. “Veronicah is my friend even today and I have nothing against her,” Ruth said.
