President's Award-Kenya is a gem that shouldn't be dissolved

Among the state corporations earmarked for dissolution following a January decision by Cabinet is the “nondescript” President’s Award-Kenya.

The President’s Award Scheme, as it was formerly known, was introduced in 1966 with President Jomo Kenyatta as founding patron and Chief Trustee – ten years after it was set up by the late Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburg.

Since its inception, the Award has benefitted half a million young Kenyans aged 14 to 24 by encouraging them to acquire positive life skills through physical activity, volunteering within their communities, and discovering a sense of adventure outside the classroom.

Many of those young people have, like the visually impaired and world-famous Paralympics legend and Gold Award holder, Henry Wanyoike, grown into successful men and women, inspiring and shaping the lives of thousands more.

There are numerous reasons why this state corporation should be spared. First, the award programme reinforces the objectives of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC), which include inculcating in learners a sense of citizenship and the skills for communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and self-efficacy.

By underlining the value of non-formal education and learning, the scheme reinforces the need for young people to engage in experiences outside the classroom and become committed, responsible and fulfilled citizens of the world.

Secondly, while the UDA manifesto makes a strong case for agricultural transformation, many young people are not too keen on farming. The power of the President’s Award, which encourages sustainable agricultural practices where participants learn about environmental impacts and responsible farming methods, to make agriculture “cool” for young people cannot be overstated.

Thirdly, President William Ruto who is the Patron of the President’s Award-Kenya is a global climate and environment conservation leader. Through the voluntary section of the Award, the scheme could be strengthened to be the incubator for future environmentalists, climate leaders and innovators.

These could be lads such as 11-year-old Richard Turere, a Kajiado schoolboy who invented predator deterrent lights that are now used to protect livestock from lions in his home county. The programme could also be the source of an army of volunteers that will plant and take care of 15 billion trees – the ten-year afforestation target set by President Ruto – and help clean up our rivers, streams and communal spaces. 

But beyond agriculture, another pillar of UDA’s transformative agenda is building a digital superhighway and creative economy. Nothing would ramp up interest, innovation, and growth in this area than a President’s Award Programme that shines the spotlight on youth who are successfully developing software solutions, or dabbling in art and craft, film, and music at the highest level.

The tentacles of this little-known organisation run deep and wide. For instance, Starehe Boys Centre alumnae who participated in the President’s Award programme have gone on to become leading lights in many spheres of Kenyan life, influencing government, the private sector and our society in profound ways.

Let’s restructure it, build it, strengthen it. 

- The writer is an independent environmental journalist and former newspaper editor. ted.malanda@gmail.com