10 Facts You Should Know About Obama’s Sister

When Ex US President Barack Obama visited Kenya in 2015 and 2018, her sister Auma Obama shone into the public eye like never before

Auma was visibly ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta and even Raila Odinga when it came to mingling with Obama in 2015, someone who then had America’s nuclear access codes.

Then in 2018, Barack Obama honoured Dr. Auma Obama’s Sauti Kuu project in K’ogelo when he landed to launch it. His presence gave it the much needed publicity.

Here are 10 facts you need to know about Dr. Auma Obama

1. Rita Auma Obama is his half-sister, and daughter to Barack’s step mother Kezia Aoko Obama (First wife to Barack Obama Snr). Auma and Barack share same father, Barack Obama Snr. They also share same step mother, Mama Sarah Obama.
2. Auma at 58 is older than Barack who is 54 years old
3. She founded Sauti Kuu project which offers recreational facilities, vocational training and nurturing young talents. Sauti Kuu is based in K’ogelo.
4. She studied from Heidelberg University with a BA in German Language, University of Bayreuth with a Doctor of Philosophy in German Film and Television Academy
5. Professionally she is a journalist and community activist
6. After her studies, Auma Obama helped her mum relocate from Kenya to UK, Her mum Kezia was finally granted British citizenship in 2011
7. Auma married English man Ian Manners whom they got Akinyi. But in 2000, they divorced.
8. She relocated to Kenya in 2007 with her daughter Akinyi. She worked with CARE International for 5 years before relocating to K’ogelo to start her own NGO, Sauti Kuu project aka Auma Obama Foundation
9. Auma has written her own book titled And Then Life Happens, she is the main subject in the documentary The Education of Auma Obama. She was also interviewed in Turk Pipkin’s documentary Building the Hope
10. She has received several international awards such as the fourth International TÜV Rheinland Global Compact Award in Cologne which was solely made sculpture of bronze