Sabrina Mkare during her swearing-in ceremony
in Lamu on Monday./HANDOUT
Sabrina Jefwa, a
24-year-old PhD graduate, was on Monday sworn in as the fisheries, blue
economy, livestock and cooperative executive for Lamu county.
She becomes the youngest executive in the country.
Jefwa, who holds a PhD in Maritime Governance and Environmental
Management from the University of Malaysia Terengganu, took the oath of office
at the county headquarters in Mokowe town.
Residents, leaders and friends attended the colourful event.
In her acceptance speech, Sabrina said she had already secured commitments
from investors to establish a maritime training school in Lamu as part of
efforts to grow the blue economy and create jobs for local youth.
“I am going to work for the governor and the people of Lamu and
I will work closely with his team to ensure the County Integrated Development
Plan (CIDP) is fully implemented, starting with the Lamu Maritime Training
Centre,” she said.
Jefwa said her plans include partnering with shipping companies
and recruitment agencies to secure sea time for cadets, while developing a
strong national and international curriculum tailored for Lamu residents.
“I will incorporate shipping companies and recruitment agencies
to get sea time for our cadets and create the best national and international
curriculum for the people of Lamu. I have already started the process and you
will see changes very soon,” she said.
Jefwa urged leaders and residents to support her work, saying
collaboration would be key to delivering meaningful development.
“I urge all leaders and residents of Lamu to support my docket
so that we can all enjoy the fruits of devolution together. Correct me when I
make mistakes and support me when I make the right decisions for our people,”
she said.
Aisha Omar was also sworn in as climate executive.
Governor Issa Timamy congratulated the new executives and urged
them to hit the ground running to help deliver his development agenda.
“Sabrina Mkare Jefwa, your docket speaks for itself and goes
straight to the lifeblood of Lamu’s economy. Our fishermen, pastoralists,
cooperative societies and blue economy actors depend on visionary leadership to
unlock value, protect livelihoods and ensure sustainability,” he said.
Timamy said the blue economy remains one of Lamu’s most
underutilised assets, with the potential to create hundreds of thousands of
jobs if properly harnessed.
“Fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism and maritime trade
remain largely untapped. As you assume office, I urge you to focus on
strengthening value chains, supporting cooperatives, enhancing food security
and ensuring our marine resources are exploited responsibly for both present
and future generations,” he said.
Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech, the Secretary of
Administration and Programmes in the Office of the Deputy President Arnold
Mkare, Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marabu and Lamu East MP Ruweida Obbo
attended the event.
“I want to encourage you to work hard and make the governor proud for believing in women leadership. This is proof that we are making progress towards realising our dreams as women in Lamu county,” Obbo said.
