Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani have strongly criticized youth officers in the county for incompetence, laxity, and lack of visibility in their duties.
The two leaders expressed disappointment during the launch of the Nyota Project Grassroots Leaders Sensitization Forum held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Kwale Cultural Centre in Matuga.
Governor Achani said the officers appeared clueless about the Nyota project, despite it being introduced a year ago.
“These officers look like they’re learning about the project for the first time. They can’t explain basic details without reading from their laptops,” she said.
Achani questioned how such officers could implement a program they hardly understood, adding that leaders left the meeting without a clear grasp of the project’s goals.
Governor Fatuma Achani speaks to the leaders during the Nyota program sensitization exercise at Kwale Cultural Centre in Matuga sub-county on Monday, October 6, 2025.
She further accused the officials of taking their work lightly, describing them as “too relaxed” and out of touch with the realities on the ground.
Kinango MP Gonzi Rai and Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza echoed her sentiments, saying many officers were unknown to local leaders.
The two said the officers have no presence on the ground.
“I’m seeing some of them for the first time,” Rai said.
While Tandaza wondered if the team was from Kwale or Nairobi.
The sharp criticism prompted CS Mvurya to issue a stern warning, saying he was more conversant with the Nyota program than the officers responsible for it.
“It’s embarrassing that we, as leaders, are answering questions meant for you ,” Mvurya said.
He called on the officers to change their attitude adding that they need people who understand their work and can deliver results.
He directed the officers to improve coordination with county leadership and warned that the ministry would not tolerate mediocrity or laziness.
Mvurya cautioned that whoever will fail to perform will face disciplinary action urging them to redeem themselves and prove their relevance.
Innovation Principal Secretary Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat also weighed in, calling on ministry staff to align with ongoing government projects and enhance teamwork for effective service delivery.
“For us to achieve transformative growth, every officer must play their role and work closely with leaders to address implementation challenges,” he said.
The tense meeting ended with Mvurya emphasizing accountability and a renewed commitment to ensure national youth programs yield tangible results in Kwale.
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