The Secretariat

Meet the Executive Secretaries steering every Safiri Youth Impact program — relentless, accountable and youth-led from Migori County, Kenya.

8 Executive Secretaries Trauma-informed leadership Youth-led governance
Our People

Executive Secretaries

Each member of the SYI Secretariat serves as an Executive Secretary — collectively stewarding governance, programs, partnerships, compliance and communications.

Portrait of Vincent Olwanda, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Vincent Olwanda

Founder & Executive Director

Human RightsTFGBVSRHRGrants

Founder of Safiri Youth Impact and a 2026 Global Fellow in Courage. A Migori-based Educator and Human Rights Defender managing international grants (including EU Youth Empowerment Funds) and leading grassroots initiatives in gender justice and public health. Vincent collaborates with governments and NGOs to implement trauma-informed solutions for Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

SYI Secretariat Contact
Portrait of Irine Akinyi, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Irine Akinyi

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Data Officer

Mental HealthSGBV ResponseM&E

A mental health advocate dedicated to combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Irine oversees data-driven monitoring and evidence-based interventions that support survivors and empower marginalized youth, fostering safe communities and ensuring SYI's programs achieve sustainable impact through rigorous advocacy and community engagement.

SYI Secretariat Contact
Portrait of Jepyego Valentine, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Jepyego Valentine

Administration & Compliance

GovernanceComplianceOperations

Manages SYI operations through robust administrative systems and regulatory oversight. A champion of accountability and governance, Valentine ensures program alignment with legal frameworks and institutional policies — streamlining processes and safeguarding organizational integrity to enable SYI's youth empowerment initiatives.

SYI Secretariat Contact
Portrait of Emily Nafula, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Emily Nafula

Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

PartnershipsFundraisingSDGs

A dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and sustainable development. Emily expands SYI by building strategic alliances and securing resources for gender justice, digital employability and climate resilience — scaling grassroots programs and eco-resilience projects for lasting impact in Migori County and beyond.

SYI Secretariat Contact
Portrait of Festus Andayi, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Festus Andayi

Digital Communications & Storytelling

JournalismBrandAdvocacy

A media professional managing SYI's brand, media relations and advocacy. Festus uses innovative storytelling to amplify marginalized youth voices and showcase grassroots solutions in gender justice, digital employability and climate resilience — advancing SYI's sustainable development mission in alignment with SDGs 4, 5 and 13.

SYI Secretariat Contact
Portrait of Eugene Gwaya, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Eugene Gwaya

Programs Lead

Counselling PsychologyMental HealthSRHRYouth Empowerment

A counselling psychologist with a strong interest in mental health, youth empowerment and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). He is an active mental health champion who advocates for the psychosocial well-being of young people and works to address the mental health impacts of gender-based violence through community engagement, awareness campaigns and youth-led initiatives. He is committed to advancing inclusive, evidence-based approaches that promote health, resilience and social change within communities.

SYI Secretariat Contact
Portrait of Rufina Amondi, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Rufina Amondi

Programs and Operations Officer

Policy AdvocacyClimate ActionGender EqualityYouth Participation

A youth leader, policy advocate and development practitioner committed to advancing inclusive governance, climate action, gender equality and meaningful youth participation. Her work spans program design, policy engagement, research and community-led initiatives, with experience contributing to national, regional and global platforms on sustainable development and climate governance. She has engaged with international processes and multistakeholder dialogues through women and youth constituencies and civil society networks, championing evidence-informed policies and youth-responsive solutions — building partnerships, strengthening local leadership and translating policy into action for equitable, resilient and inclusive development.

SYI Secretariat Contact
Portrait of Jacob Okumu, Executive Secretary at Safiri Youth Impact
Executive Secretary

Jacob Okumu

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Climate JusticeAnti-GBV AdvocacyCommunity EngagementPsychological Research

A Climate Advocate and Anti-GBV Advocate with a background in Psychology and Research. He works to promote climate justice and end gender-based violence through community programs, research and policy engagement aimed at building safer and more sustainable communities.

SYI Secretariat Contact
8
Executive Secretaries
36+
Advisory Board & Experts
100%
Youth-led governance
Advisory Board

Backed by 36+ experts.

Our voluntary Board and advisory network provide strategic mentorship and ensure structural integrity across every SYI pillar — governance, gender justice, digital employability and climate resilience.