The Kenya Scouts Association (KSA) has been recognised as a key partner in the government’s environmental, civic, and youth empowerment programmes, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said on Thursday.
Omollo praised the organisation’s active involvement in climate action and social campaigns coordinated through the Ministry of Interior’s network of national government administrative officers.
“I want to recognise the Kenya Scouts Association as a trusted partner in nation-building. It is noteworthy that they have already been active in Kenya’s climate action and social campaigns, which our Ministry is spearheading through our national government administrative officers,” he said.
He added that the State Department was committed to deepening collaboration with the Scouts to expand their contribution to national development.
Omollo highlighted the monthly Chief’s Climate Action Day, during which more than 4,000 chiefs mobilise communities across the country to plant trees.
The initiative supports President William Ruto’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, a target Omollo said the country is “right on track” to achieve.
“The Scouts have a crucial role to play in ensuring these campaigns reach every community and school across the country,” he added.
Beyond environmental conservation, Omollo outlined plans to equip digital innovation hubs at Scout centres nationwide to empower youth with digital literacy, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills.
“This aligns with Kenya’s national digital initiative, under which 15 digital innovation hubs have already been launched to drive inclusive economic development,” he noted.
The hubs are expected to give young people access to technology and training that will enable them to develop solutions to local and national challenges.
On peacebuilding and civic engagement, the PS underscored the Scouts’ potential to promote social cohesion at the community level.
“The Scout Peace Ambassadors, together with our local administration, can foster cohesion because Scout character training can be integrated into civic education programmes led by our chiefs and assistant chiefs,” he said.
By combining leadership training with civic education, Scouts can help build responsible and harmonious communities, particularly in conflict-prone areas.
Omollo also announced plans to train Scouts as community first responders on county security and disaster committees and to involve them in national ceremonies, public health campaigns, and community clean-ups.
He reminded stakeholders that the President is a patron of the Scout movement, underscoring the government’s support for youth organisations that nurture responsibility, environmental consciousness, and peace.
“These initiatives reflect the government’s strategy of leveraging youth networks like the Scouts to bridge national policy goals with grassroots action,” Omollo said.
By integrating Scouts into environmental,
digital, and civic initiatives, he added, the government aims to build a
generation of young leaders driving Kenya’s sustainable development agenda.
