Power struggles emerge as senior official is sidelined in Ruto’s NYOTA tour plans
A senior official involved in youth programming has expressed frustration after being sidelined in the mobilisation and planning of President William Ruto’s tour for the ongoing inter-county the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
The official, who has previously played a central role in coordinating grassroots youth initiatives, says they were excluded from key meetings and decision-making processes despite their institutional knowledge and networks on the ground. The sidelining has been interpreted by some insiders as a sign of emerging internal rifts and power struggles within the programme’s implementation framework.
Sources indicate that the official views the move as both undermining their mandate and weakening effective mobilisation, particularly among youth groups that rely on established trust and continuity. The episode has raised concerns about coordination gaps and the risk of politicising youth empowerment initiatives, potentially diluting the programme’s impact at a time when expectations among young people remain high.
