Profile Of Gen Z Ruto Nominated As PS

Should he be approved after vetting, he could become one of Kenya's youngest PSs at the age of 28!

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Mar 21, 2025 - 14:24
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Profile Of Gen Z Ruto Nominated As PS
President William Ruto speaking at State House, Nairobi on March 19, 2025 during the awarding of a charter to Riara University. /PCS

President William Ruto on Thursday, March 20 reshuffled his government, promoting and reassigning existing Principal Secretaries (PS) while nominating new ones for appointment to the posts. However, one name stands out.

Fikirini Jacobs was nominated by President William Ruto for the position of Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Youth Affairs and Sports. Should he be approved after vetting, he could become one of Kenya's youngest PSs at the age of 28, meaning a Gen Z could finally join the Kenya Kwanza government.

President Ruto has consistently emphasized his dedication to youth empowerment and inclusive leadership, and his nomination of Jacobs has been warmly received by young people nationwide.

Sharing his enthusiasm about the appointment, Jacobs expressed his gratitude to the President, thanking him for the opportunity and his confidence in the youth.

Newly Nominated Youth and Sports Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs. /FIKIRINI JACOBS

"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."

Jacobs is no stranger to the political scene, having been in the spotlight since his days as a student leader at Maasai Mara University and Pwani University.

Born and raised in Bamba, Kilifi County, Fikirini Jacobs attended Mnagoni Primary School before proceeding to Mwakitawa Secondary School, where he completed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2014.

In September 2015, he enrolled at Maasai Mara University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Education. During his time there, he was elected Deputy President of the Students Organisation of Maasai Mara University (SOMMU).

However, in 2017, he was expelled from the university for allegedly leading student protests. Following his expulsion, Jacobs joined Pwani University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

In 2019, he was expelled once again after publishing an opinion article titled "Why the VC Must Go by All Means," which called for the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor. The piece led to tensions between him and the administration, resulting in his expulsion on allegations of inciting students to protest.

Despite this setback, Jacobs later resumed his studies at Pwani University and successfully graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy.

Before he was nominated Principal Secretary, he served as the Director of the Governor’s Service Delivery Unit in Kilifi County under Governor Gideon Mung’aro.

Politically, Jacobs has been a strong supporter of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga. Several leaders affiliated with Raila, including Governor Mung’aro and ODM's Communication Director Philip Etale, have congratulated him 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.

Jacobs joins new nominees such as 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).

Others include Judith Naiyai Pareno (Justice Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs), Bonface Makokha (Economic Planning), Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat (Science, Research and Innovation), Stephen Isaboke (Broadcast and Telecommunication), Micheal Lenasalon (Devolution), Carren Ageng'o Achieng (Children Welfare Services) and Aden Abdi Millah (Shipping and Maritime Affairs).

President William Ruto during a Cabinet meeting on March 11, 2025. /PCS

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