Lwam Getachew Bekele is a name that rarely appears in the headlines. Yet her story is closely tied to the Odinga family. She is the daughter-in-law of Raila Odinga and the widow of his late firstborn son, Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 42.
Lwam and Fidel married at a private wedding in July 2012 at the Greek Orthodox Church on Valley Road, Nairobi.
The groom arrived with his father, Raila Odinga, and the ceremony was kept away from the media.
It was a simple and beautiful event that combined two cultures, Fidel’s Luo roots and Lwam’s Eritrean background.
Before marrying Lwam, Fidel had been married to Veronica Wanjiru Ng’ang’a in 2007 in a Kikuyu customary wedding. But but the two separated in 2011.
But his marriage to Lwam Bekele was shortlived, only lasting 3 years. On January 4, 2015, Fidel was discovered dead in his bed at his Karen home after a night out with friends. The exact cause of his sudden death has never been publicly revealed.
Lwam and Fidel had one child together, a son named Allay.
Lwam comes from an Eritrean family that has lived in Kenya for over 35 years. Her mother, Timnit Embaye, is from the Tigrinya tribe. She also has a brother, Faheem Getachew Bekele, who has often stood by her side through family matters.
Lwam Bekele Court Battle
After Fidel’s death, Lwam became involved in a long court battle over his estate.
Reports at the time mentioned disagreements between her and her mother-in-law, Ida Odinga.
The case later drew public attention when twins said to have been fathered by Fidel and born shortly after his death were mentioned.
A court ordered DNA tests, and Lwam said she was open to including them in the inheritance if they were proven to be Fidel’s children.
Eventually, they reached an agreement.
Lwam Bekele and her brother stepped down as estate administrators, allowing Raila Odinga Junior to serve alongside her.
She was granted the matrimonial home she shared with Fidel, known as Tipuana House in Karen, land in Kanyawegi, Kisumu, and a plot in Kajiado.
Her son inherited two cars, a plot in Kisumu, and shares in two investment firms, with Lwam appointed as trustee.
Since the case was settled, Lwam has kept a low profile.
By Vivian K.