Nairobi, Wednesday, 6th December 2017, KNA by Dennis Kahiga/ Wangari Ndirangu
Volunteerism contributes to 4 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product in the country according to the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Labor Phyllis Kandie. Speaking during and award ceremony to mark World volunteering day CS Kandie said the government is committed to coordinate policy implementation on volunteering. “My ministry will sensitize as many people as possible and will also involve the political arm to achieve more in regard to the implementation,” Kandie said.
She urged the youth to get more involved in voluntary works so that they can be busier by utilizing their human resource which will also help in solving social problems facing them.
Kandie also noted that an information data is being developed by the ministry on Kenya labor market to capture data of all the volunteers and this will help the youth to engage potential employers, have up-to-date information and on specific skills required.
Manu Chandaria a philanthropist and businessman in the country was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the organization due to his philanthropic nature with his foundation, Chandaria Foundation, cited to have participated in many voluntary works. The other categories which were awarded on voluntary include youth category of the year awarded to Geoffrey Kibet who is a global youth ambassador on volunteerism, general volunteer of the year went to Joy Wathathi.
The institution of the year category Middle South Junior School in Kariobangi South was awarded due to the school administration allowing the pupils to participate in community development. Governor of Makueni County Kivutha Kibwana was named the volunteer ambassador in Kenya for the steps his county government has taken by formulating a policy on volunteering.
Makueni Governor on his part said more than 3000 retirees are volunteering in his county for free which is also motivating other government workers to participate more in voluntary work. “Volunteers can bring the change that we want in the society and they still have a role to unify the country,” Governor Kibwana said.
