The situation in Tharaka Nithi County has exposed serious cracks in how the Youth, Sports, and Culture docket is being handled.
The indefinite suspension of Live Wire FC, the county’s only team in the FKF Division II league, has highlighted a deep crisis that goes far beyond finances.
The team’s exit from a national competition has left the local community disappointed and angry, not just because of the missed opportunity, but because of what it reveals about the state of youth development under the current county leadership.
Stakeholders in the county, especially those close to sports development, are openly questioning the leadership of the CECM in charge of this docket.
Many now believe that the challenges faced by Live Wire FC are just a symptom of larger problems within the department.
These include poor planning, lack of proper engagement with youth, and an arrogant leadership style that appears more interested in power than results.
Moreen Nyambura Kariuki, the CECM at the center of the controversy, is being accused of completely failing in her mandate. According to sources from within the county government, she allegedly told young people who approached her for support that Tharaka has no talent and that it would be a waste of money to support them.
These words have left a bitter taste among youth leaders and aspiring athletes who had placed their hopes in a county-led initiative to grow sports.
What is even more disturbing is the allegation that Ms. Kariuki has repeatedly dismissed concerns by boasting about having a “godfather” backing her. The reference is widely understood to mean the Governor himself, who is believed to have appointed her not for competence but out of personal loyalty.
This has created an atmosphere of fear and helplessness within the county, where staff and officials are hesitant to speak up or take action.
This isn’t the first time such concerns have surfaced. For years, whispers about mismanagement and incompetence in the Youth and Sports docket have circulated, but nothing has been done.
Political shielding seems to have kept the officeholder safe from any form of meaningful accountability. Now, with Live Wire FC’s suspension making national headlines, the county is being forced to confront the consequences of those years of neglect.
The broader community is also beginning to speak out. They see the death of grassroots sports initiatives not just as a loss for young people but as a failure of leadership. Sports are not just games, they are a powerful tool for social development, mental health, and job creation.
When those in charge ignore this and treat public offices like personal property, the entire county suffers.
Live Wire FC’s withdrawal is not just about money. It’s about what happens when leadership fails to listen, plan, or act with purpose. The club’s management mentioned financial strain, but everyone close to the situation knows it’s also about frustration.
Frustration with an unresponsive county office, frustration with a CECM who seems out of touch, and frustration with a system that rewards loyalty over competence.
Calls for the resignation of Ms. Kariuki are becoming louder and harder to ignore. Many youth leaders feel betrayed and want her out immediately.
They are demanding not just a change in leadership but a complete review of how appointments are made in the county government.
They want leaders who understand the importance of youth empowerment, not those who treat public service as a personal favor.
Unless the county government acts quickly to restore trust and take real steps to support sports and youth development, this situation could mark the beginning of deeper unrest.
And unless accountability is enforced, the damage done may take years to repair.
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