Rosemary Odinga (born 1977) is a Kenyan entrepreneur, alternative agriculture advocate, and the second child of the late Raila Odinga and Ida Odinga. While once the frontrunner to succeed her father in politics, she is now best known for her resilience in overcoming a major health crisis and her pioneering work in “heliculture” (snail farming). As of January 11, 2026, she maintains a focused, lower-profile role in business and social justice, acting as a stabilizing figure for the Odinga family following her father’s passing in late 2025.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Rosemary Anyango Odinga |
| Born | August 13, 1977, Nairobi, Kenya (Age 48) |
| Education | BA Sociology (Howard University); MBA (University of Dallas) |
| Business | Founder and Director of Shelltops Ltd |
| Key Achievement | Pioneer of commercial snail farming in East Africa. |
| Status in 2026 | Focused on agribusiness advocacy and family advisory roles. |
January 2026: A Life of “Light” and Legacy
Entering 2026, Rosemary’s journey from “darkness to light” remains one of the most celebrated stories of personal recovery in Kenya.
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Post-Raila Era (Jan 2026): In the months following the death of Raila Odinga in October 2025, Rosemary has been a key advisor to her mother, Ida Odinga, helping to manage the family’s vast social and business interests. While her sister Winnie takes the political frontline, Rosemary is viewed as the “intellectual anchor” of the family, often hosting private delegations at the family’s Karen and Bondo homes.
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Agribusiness Leadership: As of early 2026, her company, Shelltops Ltd, continues to expand. She has become a vocal proponent of “food sovereignty,” using her 25-acre farm in Kiserian to train young entrepreneurs in non-traditional farming. She is currently working on a 2026 initiative to export “Ivorian-style” processed snails to the European market.
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The “Ayurveda” Advocacy: Following her 2022 recovery from blindness (caused by a 2017 brain tumor and aneurysm), she remains a global ambassador for integrated medicine. In recent January 2026 health forums, she has advocated for the inclusion of validated traditional treatments alongside Western medicine in Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
The Snail Queen (Heliculture)
Rosemary’s business path was inspired by a challenge from former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo:
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The Origin: After visiting Obasanjo’s massive snail farm in Nigeria, she returned to Kenya in 2007 with a goal to introduce the delicacy to East Africa.
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Shelltops Ltd: Starting with just 13 giant African land snails (Achatina fulica), she overcame initial setbacks to build a colony of over 3,000. She successfully carved out a niche market, supplying high-end French and Asian restaurants in Nairobi and Kampala.
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Patriotism through Farming: She famously views farming as an act of “patriotism,” arguing that contributing to food security is as vital as political activism.
The Political “What If”
Before her illness in 2017, Rosemary was widely considered the most “natural” politician among Raila’s children:
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The Kibra Bid: In early 2017, she launched a high-energy campaign for the Kibra parliamentary seat (her father’s former stronghold). She was noted for her eloquence and her ability to connect with “the base” in the slums.
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The Forced Exit: Her campaign was cut short by a sudden stroke and subsequent vision loss. On April 24, 2017, she officially bowed out of politics for health reasons.
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Succession Debate (2025–2026): In late 2025, veteran politicians like Boni Khalwale publicly noted that Raila had originally identified Rosemary as his primary political heir, suggesting that had she remained healthy, she—not Winnie—would likely be the leader of the ODM today.
2026 Perspective: Motherhood and Service
In early 2026, Rosemary focuses heavily on her two daughters and her role as the patron of various youth rugby and social justice groups.
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The “Silent” Influence: While she rarely speaks at political rallies anymore, her presence at ODM functions is considered a “blessing” for candidates.
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National Symbol: She remains a symbol of hope for Kenyans living with disabilities, frequently appearing at events to demonstrate that physical challenges do not preclude one from contributing meaningfully to the national economy.