An insider in the Odinga family has come out to expose details surrounding alleged unpaid rent and utility bills linked to the late Beryl Lilian Achieng Mugwari Odinga, raising questions about why the matter remains unresolved weeks after her burial.
According to information shared with city lawyer Wahome Thuku, Beryl Odinga had been living in a house along Mwangi Road, Kileleshwa, since 2013 without paying rent. The property is reportedly owned by a Rwandese national.
The late Beryl Akinyi during a past event. Photo: Raila Odinga Junior Source: Facebook
The insider claims that by the time of her death earlier this month, rent arrears had accumulated to approximately Ksh5,814,000. In addition to rent, the late Odinga allegedly did not clear water and electricity bills during her stay at the property.
The source further alleged that whenever the landlord attempted to recover the arrears by sending auctioneers to the house, they were repeatedly denied access by officers from Kilimani Police Station.
However, two days before Beryl Odinga’s death, the auctioneers reportedly managed to gain access to the house for the first time. At that point, Raila Odinga Jr is said to have paid about Ksh180,000, a fraction of the alleged outstanding amount.
Raild Odinga Jnr during a past event. Photo: Raila Odinga Junior Source: Facebook
After her passing, the landlord is said to have made another attempt to access the property, but the effort was again unsuccessful, according to the insider.
Beryl Odinga had been serving as a member of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company board. During her funeral service, Johnson Sakaja announced that her son would replace her on the board, a move that drew public attention.
The insider further claimed that Oburu Odinga had indicated that the outstanding rent balance would be settled after the burial. However, no payment has reportedly been made to date.
“In my view, it is unfortunate and inappropriate for the matter to remain unresolved,” the source told Thuku, expressing concern over the prolonged delay.
Neither the Odinga family nor the landlord has publicly commented on the claims. The revelations, however, have sparked debate online, with Kenyans questioning accountability, transparency and the handling of private obligations by families of prominent public figures.
Wahome Thuku’s post about Beryl Odinga’s rent arrears. Photo: Screenshot from @wahome.thuku/Facebook