About us
Siaya Education Project (SEP) is a youth-led, women-led nonprofit in Siaya County, Kenya, empowering young people—especially girls—through education, mentorship, and community action.
Who we are
We are a team of change-makers who believe that every helping hand can raise a child and create a better future for them.
We focus on five areas: academic support, skills development, entrepreneurship, community service, and cross-cutting issues like gender equality, climate justice, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). SEP brings together lived experience, professional insight, and grassroots passion.
SEP was founded by Dr. Phoebe Oyugi, a human rights advocate who saw education as a path to justice. While studying and working abroad, she was moved by global inequalities and rallied support to uplift youth in her hometown. What started with local teachers and a few scholarships has grown into a grassroots feminist movement creating real change—led by and for the youth.
Team
Dr. Phoebe Oyugi – Founder & Board Secretary
Dr. Phoebe Oyugi is a human rights advocate, legal scholar, and nonprofit leader dedicated to advancing education equity, feminist leadership, and climate justice in rural Kenya.
She holds a Doctorate in Law and has worked internationally at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and now serves as a postdoctoral researcher at Humboldt University in Germany. Her work bridges local struggles with global justice.
Born and raised in Siaya, Phoebe founded SEP to help underprivileged youth—especially girls and teenage mothers—access transformative education and support. She leads with a decolonial, rights-based approach, ensuring SEP remains deeply youth-led, women-led, and community-driven.
Beryl Atieno – Education Advisor & Board Treasurer
is a dedicated educator and school leader with over 15 years of experience shaping rural education in Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a postgraduate diploma in education administration and management.
Currently teaching at Mbaga Girls Secondary School, Beryl mentors young women to become future leaders. Her expertise in inclusive, values-based education strengthens SEP’s commitment to girl-centered, community-based programming.
A passionate advocate for gender equity and youth development, Beryl helps ensure that our programs respond to the real needs of students and schools across Siaya County.
Dr. Winnie Awuor – Board Chair
is an experienced educator, gender expert, and community leader with over 30 years in education, governance, and public service. She holds a PhD in Diplomacy and International Relations and has held key roles including Assistant Director for Gender, Youth, and Social Services in Siaya County.
A passionate advocate for youth empowerment and gender inclusion, Dr. Awuor brings deep expertise in grassroots leadership, policy development, and education reform. She plays a vital role in guiding SEP’s strategy to ensure our work remains locally grounded, feminist, and impactful.
Ephy Onono – Executive Director
is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, human rights defender, and committed youth and women’s empowerment champion. She serves as the Executive Director of the Siaya Education Project (SEP), where she leads bold, community-based programs advancing education, health, and economic justice for young people—especially adolescent girls and young mothers.
Raised in Siaya County, Ephy brings a deep connection to the community and lived experience as a young mother and grassroots activist. Her leadership has driven campaigns for school reentry, SRHR access, and youth-friendly services in rural Kenya.
Ephy is also the founder of LEFIFO, an advocacy initiative for people living with chronic pain and invisible illnesses, and the Managing Partner at E. Onono Advocates, where she works to expand access to justice for underserved populations.
At SEP, she is steering a new era of youth-led, feminist leadership, grounded in equity, inclusion, and community voice.
Brian Omwoyo – Programmes Manager
is a youth leader, lawyer-in-training, and passionate advocate for climate justice and human rights, especially sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). He brings fresh energy, creativity, and a youth-driven approach to SEP’s programming.
A dedicated SDG champion, Brian leads the design and implementation of impactful, community-centered projects that support marginalized youth. He is currently pursuing legal training at the Kenya School of Law, strengthening his ability to integrate rights-based approaches into SEP’s work.
