University of Nairobi’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama Gitahi has called upon the scouts movement to be on the front line of coming up with solutions to climate related challenges like drought and food security among others.
Prof. Kiama, who was the chief guest during the Africa Scout Day Celebrations held on March 11, 2023 at the University of Nairobi, stated that scouts must lead to ensure the world we live in is peaceful.
While reflecting on the Scout’s values of Service to God, mankind and self, the don was impressed by the movement’s contribution to conserving the planet.
He further challenged the movement to envision a world where every child can go to school and learn.
Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi, who is the Chief Scout of Kenya, appealed to the scouts to make a difference wherever they are so that when people see them, they’ll wish to be scouts.
“Make a difference and help your siblings and parents see things differently. Do not be passive bystanders, but active solution providers. We need to create partnerships that will help us to make a positive difference in our society,” said Prof. Kaimenyi.
He appreciated the Kenya Scout Association’s partners and volunteers for supporting the movement.
Regional Director for Africa Frederic Tutu Kama-Kama called on partners to continue supporting scouting, further reminding the scouts to leave a good legacy for the next generation and that they should work together for the common good.
Albert Nyamwana , who represented the Chairperson of the Africa Scout Committee, outlined some of the outstanding initiatives that scouts across Africa are implementing to combat many challenges facing the continent.
Some of these initiatives include Food for Life, International Leadership Training, Scouts Against Malaria, Scouting for Refugees, Ticket to Life, U-Report, and the Youth Speak Series.
Jo Deman, the Vice Chairperson of the World Scout Committee, reminded the scouts that they are members of a global movement and family united by shared values.
He noted that in over 47 African countries, the scout movement continues to successfully undertake community development projects like environmental conservation, food production, health and hygiene and literacy programmes.
He added that the movement has also directly contributed to the improved living conditions of millions of people.
“As an agent of development, scouting constitutes a social force for good at local, national, and international levels. Working together with our partners, both public and private, scouting responds to the needs of the society and actively contributes to sustainable development,” he added further.
He challenged the scouts to think about how they can use their skills and passions to create change in their communities and in the world.
He further highlighted World Scouting’s Scouts for SDGs mobilization and invited African youth to join others around the world in transforming their communities by taking action for peace and sustainability.
Other guests who addressed the event include the Chief Scout of Tanzania Rashid Mchatta, the International Commissioner for the Scout et Guides de France Coline Garnier, the International Commissioner of Kenya Antony Gitonga, the Deputy Chief Commissioner Alice Kihungi and Zack Kinuthia from the World Scout Parliamentary Union (WSPU) Kenya Chapter who announced that they will be hosting the 1st WSPU Africa Assembly from 21-24 June 2023 in Nyeri as part of their preparations to host the global WSPU General Assembly in 2025.
University of Nairobi hosted hundreds of scouts from 20 countries from Africa and Europe for this year’s 2023 Africa Scout Day celebrations.
The scouts gathered to celebrate the Scout Movement’s efforts in the areas of education and moulding of young people, training of adults and implementation of transformative community development activities.
The celebrations, which kicked off with a procession through the streets of Nairobi, was a culmination of a week-long programme of activities that included a three-day camp and a Regional Scout in Nairobi.
Themed “Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future” the celebrations provided an opportunity to take stock of the achievements of Scouting, promote the spirit of world kinship, cooperation and mutual assistance amongst Scout Organizations in the Region and build partnerships for more social impact in Africa.
Scouts have now shifted their focus to the upcoming 1st Africa Rover Moot to be held again in Kenya from April 15-25, 2023 ahead of the 23rd World Scout Jamboree set to take place in Korea from August 1-12, 2023.
Scouting in Kenya started in 1910 in Nairobi, with the formation of the first Nairobi troop at St John’s church consisting mostly of Asians and Europeans with the first African troop being formed at Alliance Boys high school under the name “First Kikuyu Troop” in 1927.
By Roy Hezron
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