PS Fikirini Jacobs (L) for Youth Affairs and a screenshot of the billboard Image courtesy of Fikirini Jacobs, the recently appointed Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, is at the centre of an internet dispute when a large billboard featuring his picture went viral. The billboard, which was put up soon after he was appointed, included a big picture of Jacobs and a strong statement that thanked ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto for the chance. On his official Facebook page, the PS posted a video of the billboard along with the message, “Many thanks, my dear comrades of the Ruthless Focus.” I’m doing this for God and my country.
However, the gesture elicited a range of responses, particularly on X (previously Twitter), where several people charged Jacobs with engaging in political theatrics instead of concentrating on the business at hand. One user said, “Welcome to Kenya, where politicians erect ‘thank you billboards’ after being appointed.” “Someone is given an opportunity to show that youths are ready for leadership and then goes ahead and does this,” said another user, criticising the move’s optics. A slap in the face to young people and utterly devilish. Though there was no proof to back it up, there was also conjecture on whether the billboard was purchased using public cash. Jacobs was a well-known youth leader and community organiser from the Coast area prior to his appointment.
He oversaw grassroots initiatives to link young people with government possibilities while working as a county executive for youth development. He has long supported the engagement of young people in governance and was the previous chair of the National Youth Council.
By Kenyans