Lwam Getachew Bekele is best known as the widow of the late Fidel Odinga, the firstborn son of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mama Ida Odinga. Though she largely maintained a private life, her name became public following her marriage to Fidel in July 2012 and later during the court battles that followed his untimely death in 2015.
Her life story blends quiet elegance with resilience — from her Eritrean heritage and family background to her struggles in Kenya’s courts seeking justice and fair inheritance for her child.
Early Life and Family Background
Lwam Getachew Bekele was born into an Eritrean family of the Tigrinya ethnic community. She is the daughter of Timnit Embaye, a respected Eritrean who settled in Kenya decades ago. Lwam has lived in Kenya for more than 35 years, blending into Kenyan society while maintaining her cultural roots.
Her family is well-known in Nairobi’s Eritrean community, where they have established deep ties in business and social circles. Lwam’s background is marked by discipline, independence, and an emphasis on education — values that shaped her adulthood and professional life.
Before her marriage to Fidel, she was already a mother to Faheem Getachew Bekele, her son from an earlier relationship.
Marriage to Fidel Odinga
Lwam’s relationship with Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga attracted significant public interest due to Fidel’s prominent lineage. The couple married on July 28, 2012, in a private ceremony at the Greek Orthodox Church along Valley Road, Nairobi.
The event was attended by close family members from both sides, and media coverage was strictly limited. Raila Odinga, then Prime Minister, accompanied his son to the ceremony. Despite the Odingas’ political prominence, the wedding remained modest, elegant, and family-centered.
Their union symbolized a beautiful fusion of Kenyan and Eritrean cultures, reflecting the cosmopolitan outlook of modern Kenyan families.
Before Lwam, Fidel had previously been married to Veronica Wanjiru Ng’ang’a in 2007 through a Kikuyu customary ceremony, but that marriage ended in separation due to irreconcilable differences.
Lwam and Fidel were later blessed with a son named Allay Odinga, who became the center of her life following Fidel’s sudden death in 2015.
The Legal Battle for Fidel’s Estate
After Fidel’s passing, Lwam Getachew Bekele found herself in the midst of a long and emotionally charged inheritance dispute involving members of the Odinga family.
In 2019, reports surfaced that she had filed a case regarding the administration of Fidel’s estate, which included multiple assets — from the family’s Tipuana home in Karen to land in Kanyawegi, Kisumu, and a plot in Kajiado.
The case became highly publicized after allegations emerged about twins allegedly fathered by Fidel being excluded from the inheritance. The court ordered a DNA test to determine the twins’ paternity. Lwam maintained that she had no objection to including them in the inheritance should the DNA prove they were Fidel’s children.
Eventually, the dispute was resolved after Lwam and her brother Fahm Getachew Bekele stepped down as administrators of the estate. They were replaced by Raila Odinga Junior, who now serves as co-administrator alongside Lwam.
“That an administrator of the estate being Fahm Getachew Bekele be substituted with Raila Odinga Junior so as to have Lwam Getachew Bekele and Raila Odinga Junior as the administrators of the estate of Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga,” read the court document.
As part of the settlement, Lwam retained the matrimonial home (Tipuana House), along with land in Kisumu and a plot in Kajiado. She was appointed trustee of Fidel’s other properties — including two cars, investment firms, and additional plots — which would eventually belong to their son, Allay Odinga.
Quest for Justice and Personal Strength
Throughout the court proceedings, Lwam Getachew Bekele displayed composure and strength. She publicly described the legal battles as emotionally draining, citing strained relations with her mother-in-law, Ida Odinga, as one of the causes of misunderstanding.
Her quest was not only for property rights but also for recognition, fairness, and justice in preserving Fidel’s legacy for their son.
Her determination resonated with many Kenyan women who admired her courage to face a politically powerful family and stand firm in seeking legal resolution.
Legacy and Private Life
Despite the media attention, Lwam has remained private, focusing on raising her son and maintaining stability after years of turmoil. She continues to live in Karen, managing her affairs quietly while avoiding public commentary on politics or family issues.
Her story — marked by love, loss, resilience, and justice — stands as a reminder of the challenges widows often face in powerful families. Through her strength and dignity, Lwam Getachew Bekele has carved out her own legacy beyond her marriage to Fidel Odinga, representing the modern Kenyan woman who fights for her rights with grace and courage.
