MP John Kiarie elected global president of the World Scouts Parliamentary Union

“I am more than ready to undertake all the duties and responsibilities that will be bestowed upon me."

by EMMANUEL WANJALA

News13 November 2025 - 15:44

In Summary

The Dagoretti South MP, popularly known as KJ, reaffirmed his resolve to serve with dedication and unity of purpose.
He said Africa has the capacity and ambition to lead in the next phase of global scouting.

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Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie has pledged to champion the implementation of the resolutions of the World Scouts Parliamentary Union (WSPU) as he assumes office as its global president.

In his inaugural speech following his election by the executive committee at the just-concluded WSPU 11th General Assembly in Nairobi, Kiarie acknowledged the challenges that must be overcome to achieve the dream of attaining the Sustainable Development Goals, creative economy and climate action, in line with the theme of the conference.

“I come in the office at a time of great global shakeups, a reality in the world today. But there is space for us scouts to put our mark on the global footprint and make it better,” he said.

Kiarie said scouting has a crucial place in government, institutions, religion, family and society, calling on members to lead with courage and critical thinking.

“A lot is happening globally but... we are called to lead. Today the world is crying and critical thinkers to make informed decisions are needed, and WSPU in its special place has a big role to play,” he said.

Executive committee of the World Scouts Parliamentary Union at the just-concluded WSPU 11th General Assembly in Nairobi, November 12, 2025. /PARLIAMENT

He emphasised the need to nurture emotional intelligence and logical thinking as essential tools for tackling everyday challenges.

“We are called upon as a generation to make emotional intelligence an essential need for every child and adult globally, and to bring back logic to problem-solving,” he added.

Highlighting the urgency of addressing global social ills, Kiarie identified lack of awareness and personal reflection as major hindrances to progress, citing the ongoing rise in femicide cases as an example.

“We currently have a big epidemic of femicide in our society, yet the skill of problem-solving can come in handy to avert such situations,” he said.

He further encouraged delegates to take pride in their identity and heritage, noting that a strong sense of belonging builds resilience and unity of purpose.

“There is a great need to refocus and reanchor ourselves to belonging, be proud of who we are, be proud of the family we come from and to be associated with the organisations that we partner with.

"From all deliberations we have been told there is great need to refocus and anchor ourselves to belonging and that calls upon us to have the virtue of patriotism to face both local challenges and global disaster,” he said.

Kiarie also spoke confidently about Africa’s rising role in global affairs, saying the continent has the capacity and ambition to lead in the next phase of global scouting.

“It’s time for Africa. Africa is ready to take the mantle and we shall be going out there putting up a crusade to recruit more people to join our worthy course. And it’s a great honour to be serving you,” he said.

The MP, popularly known as KJ, concluded by reaffirming his resolve to serve with dedication and unity of purpose.

“I am more than ready to undertake all the duties and responsibilities that will be bestowed upon me as president, and we shall stand together as one to achieve this mission as scouts,” he said.