Youth Programme
The Youth Programme Department at the Kenya Scouts Association is at the heart of Scouting. We are dedicated to providing engaging, inclusive, and educational experiences that empower young people to become responsible citizens and confident leaders in their communities.
Our mission is to design, implement, and evaluate age-appropriate Scouting programs that nurture young people’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual development in accordance with the values of the Scout Promise and Law.
We are dedicated to delivering a dynamic and vibrant program tailored to the needs and aspirations of young people aged 6 to 26 years. With a membership of over 4.3 million scouts supported by 120,000 adult volunteers, the department designs non-formal education programs focusing on the key thematic areas such as life skills, leadership, environmental conservation, mental and reproductive health, peace advocacy and anti- radicalization, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital literacy, online safety, and
active citizenship.
Program Sections
Our programs are tailored to meet the developmental needs of children and youth in specific age brackets:
6–11
years
Sungura Scouts
Building good habits, basic Scouting skills, and values through fun and exploration.
12–15
years
Chipukizi Scouts
Encouraging teamwork, self-discovery, and community involvement through adventure.
16–18
years
Mwamba Scouts
Developing leadership, independence, and civic responsibility.
18–26
years
Jasiri Rovers
Fostering personal development, career skills, and community service.
We focus on experiential education through activities like camping, community service projects, and badge-earning programs across the four main sections: Sungura Scouts (6-11 years), Chipukizi Scouts (12-14 years), Mwamba Scouts (15-18 years), and Jasiri Scouts (18-26 years). These scouts are drawn from diverse backgrounds with the largest percentage being in schools, some being in difficult circumstances such as refugee camps and orphanages, some in the recently introduced Community Based
Scouting and the differently abled scouts. The department also promotes gender parity, with a near-equal balance of 50.4% male and 49.6% female members, ensuring inclusivity and broad societal impact.
Our Approach
1. Learning by doing
2. Teamwork and leadership
3. Outdoor activities and adventure
4. Community service
5. A commitment to personal progression
To enhance the quality and reach of its programs, the Youth Programme Department collaborates with strategic partners, including the Ministry of Education since most of the scouts are based in schools, the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs who support digital literacy through the Ajira Digital program, empowering Rover Scouts to earn from digital platforms, Trafficop supporting the Road Safety Programme, VI Agroforestry and Rainforest Alliance supporting the Smart Agriculture and Climate Action programme in different parts of the country, Unicef engages the scouts in programmes aimed at empowering them to amplify their voices and engage in issues affecting them, Eveminet educates young people to make good use of the cyber space and also how to stay safe online among other partners.
Beyond programme delivery at the local level, the department has a great reputation in delivering programmes during international events such as the 1st Africa Rover Moot in 2023, which brought together 2,500 young adults to share ideas and address community challenges, the Africa Scout Day which brought together 1000 scouts from across Africa to celebrate the contribution of Scouting to development in Africa and the Eastern Africa Zonal Education camp in 2024 that brought together 1200 scouts from the 7 countries in the zone for an education camp. These activities strengthen the department’s ability to provide innovative and relevant programs while promoting international understanding and leadership among Kenyan youth. The department molds young people into responsible, self-reliant citizens committed to community service, peace, and justice by aligning with national development goals and the Scout Promise and Law, positioning Kenya Scouts Association as a leading force in youth development in Africa and the world.
Ultimately, the Youth Programme Department aims to mold young men and women into thoughtful, critical, and responsible members of society who uphold the Scout Law and Promise. By offering qualitative, need-based training and support through competent
trainers, it equips adult leaders to effectively deliver the youth program. With its emphasis on creating agents of development who are ready to serve and leave the world better than they found it, the department plays a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s
future leaders.