Who Is Catherine Omanyo? ODM's New Acting Secretary General Profiled
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has named Catherine Nakhabi Omanyo as its acting Secretary General following the National Executive Committee's decision to remove Edwin Sifuna from the post on February 11, 2026.
Previously serving as Deputy Secretary General, Omanyo steps into the role amid a period of internal party transitions. While Sifuna's high-profile presence often overshadowed her, this appointment brings renewed attention to her contributions within ODM and her broader public service record.
Catherine Nakhabi Omanyo, born July 7, 1978, in Busia County, serves as the Woman Representative for Busia in the National Assembly. Raised by a single mother after her father's early death, she overcame significant hardships—including working as a nanny and struggling to pay school fees—to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Nairobi. Her journey reflects resilience, as she refused to let early challenges define her path. A dedicated advocate for human rights, particularly women's rights, Omanyo founded International Champions, a tuition-free school near the Uganda border in Busia County, targeting impoverished and orphaned children. She also runs Impreza Academy, offering free education to children of HIV-positive parents unable to afford fees, and uses her rural home as a shelter for vulnerable kids, orphans, and those affected by HIV. Additionally, she leads community awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS, focusing on at-risk rural youth and women.
The appointment has sparked curiosity among many Kenyans unfamiliar with her profile, often prompting the question "Who is Catherine Omanyo?" despite her longstanding activism in education and social justice. As acting Secretary General, her tenure is described as interim, but it underscores her rising influence in ODM while she continues championing causes that address poverty, inequality, and access to education in underserved communities.
