24-year-old Rehema Kitetu is the youngest national government senior administration officer – occupying the position of Rift Valley Assistant County Commissioner.
The position of assistant County Commissioner is a senior role in the national government, often given to older and more experienced people.
Kenyans couldn’t help but raise questions about Rehema Kitetu on learning about her appointment, with many noting that she is too young for the job.
Does she has a godfather in high office, what did she do to earn the job? Is she genuinely qualified for the job? Those are some of the questions raised by concerned people.
Rehema didn’t tarmac for long looking for a job, she completed her studies in university and boom a County Commissioner.
At 24, she has achieved what many Kenyans can only dream of – national government senior administration officer.
Just fresh out Egerton university and with little work experience, Rehema applied for the post of assistant County Commissioner, through the Pubic Service Commission in 2020.
To her surprise, she got the job. She is among 200 newly recruited Assistant County commissioners (ACCs) that the government has deployed to different parts of Rift Valley region ahead of the 2022 general election.
Rehema, who hails from Kwali county in the coast region, was deployed to Bomet central, in Bomet county upon her appointment.
She among other things coordinate government projects in the area, articulate government agenda and solve disputes.
After graduating in 2019, Rehema worked as a print journalist in Nakuru county. She also served as Kazi Mitaani supervisor in Kwale and was also the county’s youth assembly deputy speaker.
The 24-year-old comes from a humble background, her father is a salesperson while her mother keeps livestock in Samburu, Kinango constituency – one of the driest regions of Kwale.
Rehema grew up in Kinango and went to Samburu primary school before joining Mwasere Girls high school and later Egerton university where she pursued a degree course in Sociology, English and Literature.
Before applying for the administration job, Rehema had political ambitions – she was planning to vie for member of county assembly for Samburu Ward.
Rehema’s appointment as Rift Valley Assistant County Commissioner at the age of 24 still evokes mixed reactions – there are those who are happy for her accomplishment while many still doubt whether she landed the job out of merit.
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