On Thursday, President William Ruto reshuffled his government, promoting, reassigning, and appointing new members to the Cabinet. Among the beneficiaries was Fikirini Jacobs, a well-known Gen Z figure and youth advocate.
President Ruto has repeatedly expressed his commitment to youth empowerment and inclusivity in leadership, and his nomination of Jacobs has been widely welcomed by young people across the country.
Fikirini is among the 14 newly nominated Permanent Secretaries, having been assigned the role of Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Youth Affairs and Sports.
Expressing his excitement over the appointment, Fikirini penned a message of gratitude to the President, thanking him for the opportunity and for placing trust in the youth.
''It is with great humility and profound appreciation that I accept my nomination by President Ruto, for the position of Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and for his confidence in my ability to contribute to the government's transformative agenda," Fikirini wrote.
"Our youth are the driving force of our country’s future, and I am eager to work alongside all stakeholders to create an environment that nurtures their talents, supports their ambitions, and opens doors to endless possibilities," the appointed PS continued in the tweet.
The 28-year-old is no stranger to the political scene. He serves as the Kilifi youth leader for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and was previously a student leader at Maasai Mara University and Pwani University.
In 2023, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Pwani University. Since then, he has been actively involved in politics.
He served as the Director of the Governor’s Service Delivery Unit in Kilifi County under Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
Leaders allied to Raila, including Governor Mung'aro and ODM's Communication Director Philip Etale, have congratulated Fikirini on his nomination.
"Congratulations, Fikirini Jacobs, on your well-deserved appointment as Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Youth Affairs & Sports. Your dedication to serving the youth is truly commendable, and this new role reflects your hard work, commitment, and resilience," Mung'aro wrote.
Others who were nominated in the changes are Jane Kare Imbunya (State Department for Public Services and Human Capital Development), Regina Akoth Ombam (State Department for Trade), Cyrell Wagunda Odede Public Investment and Asset Management), Caroline Wanjiru Karugu (allied to Raila, East African Community Affairs), Oluga Fredrick Ouma (Medical Service), and Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim(National Government Co-ordination).
