The Gen Z county executive demystifying ‘troublesome’ stereotype and redefining governance
Lamu Fisheries, Blue Economy, Cooperative Development and Livestock executive Sabrina Mkare Jefwa, 25, on May 5, 2026.
What you need to know:
- At 25, Sabrina Jefwa is redefining youth leadership while transforming Lamu’s fisheries and blue economy development agenda.
- The young Lamu executive is inspiring girls through education advocacy, bold leadership and sustainable marine economic reforms initiatives.
At just 25, Sabrina Mkare Jefwa occupies the corner office at the Lamu County Government headquarters in Mokowe.
She is the youngest County Executive Committee Member (CECM) serving in the departments of Fisheries, Blue Economy, Cooperative Development and Livestock. Wearing a sky-blue headscarf and bathed in the natural light of Lamu, Sabrina leans over her sleek silver laptop.
The monitor setup on her desk displays dynamic blue economy dashboards integrating marine data, environmental impact metrics and ocean-based economic growth indicators that guide sustainable development.
Here, Sabrina is not simply analysing data; she is actively reviewing the Lamu County 2026 Fisheries Strategic Investment Plan. As a Gen Z leader, her future appears exceptionally bright. Her journey reflects the growing number of young Kenyan women stepping into executive leadership and challenging stereotypes that often portray the youth as disrespectful or troublesome.
Speaking to the Nation, Sabrina said her decision to take up the CEC role proves that young people are ready to serve and that their innovative ideas are crucial for the future of county and national governance. The Fisheries and Blue Economy docket she oversees remains Lamu’s economic backbone, supporting thousands of livelihoods and serving as a major source of income for coastal communities.
For Sabrina, leading such a critical department helps challenge negative perceptions about Gen Z while demonstrating the generation’s capacity for transformative leadership and governance. “I thank God that Lamu County under the stewardship of Governor Issa Timamy believed in me and gave me the chance to manage the Fisheries, Blue Economy, Cooperative Development and Livestock docket. It’s an immense responsibility but I am up to the task,” she said.
She was appointed and sworn into office in December 2025, making her one of the youngest county executives in Kenya. Before assuming the high-profile role, Sabrina had already built an impressive academic record at a young age. Shortly after completing her secondary education at Nairobi’s Light International School in 2017, she joined Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom to pursue a degree in Law, specialising in Criminal Law.
Lamu Fisheries, Blue Economy, Cooperative Development and Livestock executive Sabrina Mkare Jefwa, 25, on May 5, 2026.
At the time, she was only 17 years old. She completed her undergraduate studies in June 2022 at the age of 22 before enrolling for a Master’s degree in International Maritime Law at Swansea University in Wales. She completed her postgraduate studies in 2023 and later returned to Kenya. Even before coming back home, Sabrina says she had always envisioned herself in a position where she could create change and influence systems.
She secured an internship with the Kenya Maritime Authority, where she worked for one year before joining GIZ as a Maritime Affairs Adviser for the 10 Western Indian Ocean (WIO) countries, which comprise Eastern African coastal states and island nations linked through shared marine ecosystems and regional governance. They include Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Seychelles, Comoros, France, Madagascar and Mauritius.
These countries collaborate on marine conservation, sustainable blue economy initiatives and coastal protection through programmes led by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association. “It was a bulk job working at GIZ as an adviser to all the 10 WIO countries but I managed. I worked there for a year plus,” Sabrina said.
While still serving at GIZ, Sabrina came across an advertisement on the Lamu County Government website inviting applications for the CECM position in Fisheries, Blue Economy, Cooperative Development, and Livestock. “It was around June 2025 when I saw the advert. I applied immediately and that’s how I was shortlisted, invited for an interview and emerged successful. Sincerely speaking, I got this CECM job based on my own merit and nothing else. I sacrificed a lot in acquiring education. It paid it all.”
As a county executive, her demanding schedule involves balancing late-night policy drafting sessions with early morning stakeholder meetings. Sabrina admits that one of the biggest challenges has been proving herself capable as a Gen Z leader, particularly among seasoned professionals.
“It is seven months now since I started serving as Lamu CECM. Today, I feel I’ve successfully navigated all the tests on whether I am capable of running my docket. Everyone respects me. I’ve been receiving lots of positive vibes from my colleagues, both the older and young ones. My boss, Governor Timamy, has also been a strong pillar to me.”
Governor Timamy has consistently defended his decision to nominate Sabrina whenever the issue arises during county public forums. “I am happy with her. You might see Sabrina as just a young lady, Gen Z lady but she's hardworking, resilient and up to the task. She's doing a lot for Lamu and our people. I don't regret having her in my cabinet,” he said.
The governor reiterated that his administration prioritises women leadership as a way of addressing decades of gender imbalance in Lamu’s leadership structures. “As a believer and champion of women’s empowerment, my administration has ensured that out of the seven CECM positions, four are taken by women, Sabrina included. The remaining three are held by men,” Mr Timamy said.
Lamu County Fisheries, Blue Economy, Cooperative Development and Livestock Director Kamaludin Sharif, 42, described Sabrina as a brilliant and hardworking professional who has already contributed significantly to the department through strategic stakeholder engagement.
High-value relationships
“She has a high level of networking with stakeholders that has really helped to market this crucial department. By building high-value relationships across all levels, she has effectively ensured she aligns team goals with the broader departmental objectives, turning complex challenges into collaborative solutions. Her relationship with other workers within the department is also excellent,” he said.
Today, Sabrina stands out as a strong example of women and girl-child empowerment. Born in Kilifi and now serving communities in Lamu, her story resonates across the Coast region. In both counties, girls’ education remains a major challenge due to early pregnancies and school dropouts. Role models like Sabrina are, therefore, essential for reshaping perceptions around girls’ education and empowerment.
“Sometimes I get heartbroken hearing that young girls are dropping out of school due to early pregnancies. That’s why I’ve started Sabrina Foundation which incorporates activities and projects like ‘Msichana Shujaa’ that fights against early pregnancies and agitating for girls to embrace education,” Sabrina said.
She advises girls to remain patient, resilient and focused on education. “My happiness is that one day I see Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and the rest of the Coast counties fully embrace education for girls. That is the only solution to mould our society and end the heartbreaking stories like early pregnancies and poverty, among others.”
On the subject of Gen Z, Sabrina insists the generation is unfairly labelled as problematic. She describes Gen Z as bold, outspoken, curious and ambitious individuals who value authenticity. “As a Gen Z, I can attest that we’re very vocal, inquisitive and individuals who are go-getters and value authenticity. This might sometimes be perceived by the older generations as confrontational or disrespectful. But let everyone know that we love being honest. Unfortunately, not all people are used to being questioned. There are those who might even feel threatened.”
She expressed confidence in Gen Z leadership and urged county governments to create more opportunities for young people in leadership positions. According to Sabrina, combining youthful energy with the wisdom of older generations creates balanced and progressive governance. “In my view, Gen Z is the answer to progressive leadership. We have many young people out there who are ready to lead in this country and not just complain. What they want is to at least be offered the chance and platform to prove that they can.”
With confidence clearly visible on her face, Sabrina slowly closes her laptop, fully aware that her youth is not a limitation but a catalyst for the transformative change she hopes to leave behind. For her, age is only a timeline while impact remains the true measure of success. She says her greatest focus is building a lasting legacy. Since taking office, Sabrina has championed policy reforms aimed at securing a sustainable blue economy.
“This can’t be achieved without fighting the global challenge of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing. I know this is an immense duty, even beyond my age, but I’ve come to realize that legacy isn’t built over decades. It’s through the courage to challenge the status quo every single day. I am ready to shape that future,” Sabrina said.
She was born in Kilifi on November 29, 2000. She is the last-born in a family of three children and the only girl.
