The Kenya Scouts Association (KSA) West Pokot Branch successfully held its annual four-day scouting event at Makutano Comprehensive School grounds, bringing together hundreds of scouts, teachers, and officials in a colourful celebration of talent, innovation, and child protection advocacy.
Despite heavy afternoon rains experienced during the event, participants enjoyed favourable weather that allowed activities to continue smoothly under bright and cool conditions.
This year’s edition recorded a significant increase in participation compared to last year, with 24 schools and institutions taking part, a milestone that organisers described as a major boost for the scouting movement in West Pokot County.
The event highlighted the learners’ creativity, practical skills, and talents in line with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system. Scouts engaged in a wide range of activities including drills, community projects, hygiene demonstrations, and homestead arrangement competitions.
The annual gathering was held under the theme, “Creating Safe Spaces for Every Child,” focusing on key social issues affecting children and adolescents. The campaign emphasized the need to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), end early marriages, and curb teenage pregnancies.
The Kenya Scouts Association also used the platform to promote child welfare by advocating for the protection, dignity, and safety of every child.
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In a major boost to the event, the Kenya Scouts Association National Office, alongside VI — an organization involved in environmental conservation, donated approximately 450 T-shirts to participating scouts.
The programme was coordinated by several sub-county scouting officials including West Pokot Sub-County official Shadrack Limo, Programme Commissioner Nancy Lotolim, and trainer Carlos Thuku.
Speaking during the event, West Pokot County Scouts Commissioner Nelly Cheruto said the scouting movement plays a critical role in nurturing responsible and productive citizens.
“Scouting equips young people with important life skills and prepares them to become useful citizens in society and the Republic,” she said.
Richard Openda from the Kenya Scouts Association National Office commended participants for their creativity and innovation, noting that the county has great potential at higher levels of competition.
“The Kenya Scouts Association West Pokot Branch participants have the ability to proceed to the national and East African levels because their innovations are excellent,” said Openda.
Uasin Gishu County scouts trainer Collins Kemboi urged scouts to serve as peace ambassadors within their communities, while West Pokot KUPPET Chairman Doywan Pkemei encouraged schools that did not participate this year to join future scouting programmes.
Julius Korichei, the Junior Secondary School (JSS) Secretary for West Pokot County Branch, applauded principals and heads of institutions for supporting scouting activities in their schools.
Meanwhile, Amos Gesike, Chairperson of the Kenya Scouts Association West Pokot County Branch, emphasized the important role scouts play in society, particularly in environmental conservation and community development.
The event concluded on a high note, with participants and organizers expressing optimism about the future growth of scouting activities in the county.
By Martin Ruto
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