Lwam Bekelle Seeks to Claim Fidel Odinga’s Unclaimed Assets Following Raila Odinga’s Passing
In a development that has brought renewed focus to the Odinga family's personal matters, Lwam Getachew Bekelle, the former wife of the late Fidel Odinga, has initiated steps to claim her ex-husband's unclaimed financial assets. Fidel, who was the eldest son of Kenya's veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, passed away under mysterious circumstances in 2015. This move by Bekelle comes shortly after Raila's recent death, stirring interest in the family's affairs.
A gazette notice published on October 17 by the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) includes Bekelle among applicants seeking to administer unclaimed estates. Her application specifically targets the management of Fidel's finances, which are held in a local bank and have remained unclaimed for almost ten years. The UFAA has established a 30-day period during which any counterclaims can be submitted to challenge her bid.
This action by Bekelle highlights the intersection of personal legacies and political dynasties in Kenya, particularly within the influential Odinga family, even as they navigate the aftermath of Raila's passing.
The public notice from the authority states that claims have been received from various persons acting as administrators of estates or agents of original owners. It further specifies that without any objections lodged at the authority's offices within 30 days from the notice date, the assets will be disbursed to the applicants.
This framework provides Bekelle with a pathway to access the funds, provided no family members or other beneficiaries raise objections during the stipulated timeframe. The timing of this development is particularly poignant, as the Odinga family continues to grieve the loss of their patriarch, Raila Odinga.
Fidel Odinga and Lwam Bekelle were married in 2012 during a sophisticated ceremony that drew family, political associates, and friends. Their marriage represented a connection between Kenya and Eritrea, initially bringing a sense of hope to the Odinga household.
In 2013, the couple had a son, which appeared to solidify their relationship. However, the marriage soon faltered, leading to their separation in 2014 after just two years. The details of their split were kept private, though the divorce received media coverage.
Prior to his union with Bekelle, Fidel had been married to Veronica Wanjiru, making his marriage to Bekelle his second. There were no records of Fidel entering another marriage following the divorce before his untimely death in January 2015.
The death of Fidel Odinga at age 42 stunned the nation. He was discovered deceased in his Nairobi residence, eliciting widespread mourning and conjecture. Many regarded him as a likely successor to his father's political mantle, and his loss created a significant gap in the Odinga family on both emotional and political fronts.
The circumstances of his death remained ambiguous, sparking small-scale protests in Nairobi and Kisumu. Although investigations took place, no definitive findings were released to the public. Nearly a decade later, the matter of his unclaimed assets has resurfaced with Bekelle's application.
Some speculate that the timing, immediately following Raila's death, might be strategic, aimed at safeguarding financial interests for herself and her son ahead of any broader distribution of the Odinga estate. Family representatives have not commented on potential challenges to her claim, though the legal window allows for objections within 30 days.
The situation has elicited varied responses from Kenyans on social platforms. Supporters of Bekelle assert her entitlement to the assets from her late husband. Critics, however, contend that the divorce prior to his death should disqualify her from any claims.
Legal analysts note that the validity of her claim hinges on whether Fidel had designated her or their child as beneficiaries in legal documents. If such designations exist, her position could hold firm irrespective of their marital status at the time of death.
The Odinga family has refrained from making public comments on this issue. Associates close to the family emphasize that their priority is honoring Raila's memory and upholding his legacies in politics and personal life.
Nevertheless, Bekelle's pursuit could initiate a fresh phase in the Odinga family's inheritance and legal proceedings, illustrating that even in prominent Kenyan political families, issues of wealth and succession are profoundly personal and intricate.