Eddy Oketch Gicheru is a Kenyan politician and the current Senator for Homa Bay County, elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket.

Eddy Oketch Gicheru was born on August 12, 1991. He grew up in Migori County and spent part of his early years in foster care.

He attended Friends School Kamusinga from 2006 to 2008, where he completed his O-Level studies.

Oketch then enrolled at the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in South Africa from 2008 to 2010, earning a diploma in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, African Studies, and Community Service Projects.

During his time at ALA, he initiated a peacebuilding movement that engaged over 10,000 Kenyan youth.

For his higher education, Oketch moved to the United States, where he studied Political Science at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, from 2011 to 2014, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.

He continued at Yale University, earning a Master’s degree in Global Affairs between 2014 and 2016.

Demonstrating a continued commitment to academia and research, he enrolled in a PhD in Philosophy at the University of Nairobi in 2021, which he is expected to complete in 2025.

Career

Professional Career

Eddy Gicheru Oketch began his professional journey immediately after completing his studies at the African Leadership Academy in 2010.

From 2010 to 2011, he worked on community-based leadership and youth empowerment programs in Kenya, focusing on peacebuilding initiatives that reached thousands of young people.

In 2012, he founded Ongoza, an SME incubator designed to empower youth to become economically independent and engage in community development.

He led Ongoza from 2012 to 2015, scaling programs across several Kenyan counties.

Between 2013 and 2015, Oketch established the Anywair Group, a fintech company providing micro-asset loans to underserved communities in Kenya, combining his interest in entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

During the same period, he also launched the Treeco Fund, an initiative promoting agroforestry and environmental sustainability in rural areas.

In recognition of his efforts in youth development and social entrepreneurship, Eddy received multiple accolades, including the 2012 Impact Award from the Kenyan US Diaspora, recognition as one of Africa Village’s Top 30 Under 30 Most Inspirational Young People in 2013, and a place on Salt’s 2015 list of the Top 30 Under 30 Most Influential Youth in Africa.

From 2016 onward, Oketch continued to expand his professional influence as a social entrepreneur and climate advocate, participating in international forums and building platforms that combined youth leadership, technology, and environmental sustainability.

Eddy Gicheru Oketch formally entered politics in 2022, when he contested for the Migori County Senate seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket and successfully won the election.

Since assuming office in August 2022, Oketch has served on several key Senate committees, including the Liaison Committee, Roads, Transportation and Housing Committee, Finance and Budget Committee, County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, and the Committee to Investigate the Proliferation of Religious Organisations and Circumstances Leading to the Deaths of More Than 95 People in Shakahola, Kilifi County.

As a Senator, Oketch has been actively involved in sponsoring and supporting legislation aimed at improving education, social welfare, and environmental sustainability.

Notably, he sponsored the Early Childhood Education (Amendment) Bill, Senate Bill No. 4 of 2023, which seeks to enhance the quality and accessibility of early education in Kenya.

Beyond legislative duties, Oketch has been a vocal advocate for climate change awareness and youth empowerment, representing Kenya at international forums such as COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022.

Details about his net worth are not publicly available.

However, as a Kenyan Senator, he earns a gross monthly salary of approximately Ksh 739,600, which includes:

Senator Eddy Oketch is also entitled to various benefits and allowances, including: