Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya of the Ministry of Youth Affairs has vowed to continue liaising with the Ministry of Education to support the expansion of the President’s Award–Kenya (PA-K) programme in educational institutions in line with PA-K’s strategic direction.
Mvurya said the ministry will continue to provide necessary support to ensure the successful operations of the Award in Kenya.
“My Ministry will continue to liaise with the Ministry of Education to support the expansion of the programme in our educational institutions in line with PA-K’s strategic direction,” he said.
Mvurya also added that the directive follows a commitment by President William Ruto, who serves as the patron of the award programme.
The CS further said the President announced that the Gold Award certificate holders under the PA-K programme will now be given priority in public service recruitment, training, and advancement, Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has announced.
“Through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the government values and recognizes the diverse skills of all individuals irrespective of their background,” CS said.
The CS made the announcement during the inauguration of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Africa Regional Conference at Voyager Beach Resort in Mombasa County,where he described the Award as a transformative platform that has positively impacted the lives of thousands of young Kenyans.
He said the programme has become a beacon of opportunity and empowerment for the Kenyan youth with over 120,000 active participants, and a growing footprint in schools, tertiary institutions, and youth centres across the country.
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Mvurya added that the award is helping learners apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, thereby preparing them not just for exams, but for life and nation-building.
He said the progressive move by president Ruto to support the programme reflects the government’s belief that education must be more than academic attainment, adding that the education must forge resilience of character, unleash creative potential, inspire meaningful societal contribution, and foster deep community engagement.
The PA-K represents a national commitment to holistic youth development, cultivating key values and skills including resilience, leadership, civic responsibility, physical wellness, and self-discipline.
“These are the qualities we need to prepare our young people for life, work, and responsible citizenship in the 21st century,” he said.
CS Mvurya added that while formal education provides the foundation for literacy and professional development, non-formal education, such as that offered through the President’s Award, gives young people the space to build practical life skills, pursue their passions, and develop a sense of purpose.
The minister said the program plays a critical role in addressing a myriad of challenges faced by young people, such as mental health and fitness issues, while being worried about the health and well-being of their family and friends, which has led to high levels of stress.
He urged young people to continue dreaming big and pursue their life goals with unyielding perseverance, reminding them that they possess the power to shape the world in unimaginable ways.
“Embrace your unique talents, and never underestimate the impact you can have on the lives of others,” he said.
He also commended parents, teachers, mentors, and supporters who have nurtured and guided the young individuals through the Award programme.
He said this year’s Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Africa Regional conference should be a springboard for action, a renewed commitment to the African youth agenda, rooted in values, vision, and unity, adding that the conference theme, “Taking a New Bearing,” is both timely and powerful since it calls upon collective engagement and commitment of all stakeholders to chart bold new paths that will position youth at the heart of sustainable development across Africa.
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The Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Martin Houghton-Brown praised the program’s growing impact across Africa, describing it as a “remarkable force” for youth development, noting that through the Award, young people are discovering life-changing opportunities and building essential life skills.
“Whether in Nairobi or Nakuru, Lusaka or Lagos, Accra or Antananarivo, we see young people shaping their futures gaining resilience, compassion, leadership, and a sense of purpose through this extraordinary framework,” he said.
He said that the Award offers a unique, proven model that equips young people not only with knowledge but with character, positioning them to thrive in an ever-changing world and represents a significant opportunity to prepare world-ready young people with skills and qualities to seize opportunities and tackle the major challenges facing Africa’s youth.
Houghton-Brown urged African countries to take greater ownership in sustaining the programme rather than relying on European support.
He said that with Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, there is an urgent need for deliberate efforts to create more opportunities and employment pathways.
“To sustain this programme, African nations must be intentional and stop depending on European countries for support,” he said.
Houghton-Brown said with the continent’s youth population on the rise, African countries must start thinking critically about how to provide meaningful opportunities for the next generation, praising the Kenyan government for its commitment to the programme, calling it a model for others in the region.
“I must pay tribute to the Kenyan government, which just two weeks ago issued a formal statement regarding the order of the President’s Award. In practical terms, this increases the chances of young people securing employment,” he said.
BY OMAR SHABAN
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