Scouts raise questions over proposed Ksh.2B Nyeri centre

The project is reportedly being promoted by the World Scout Parliamentary Union (WSPU) Kenya Chapter in partnership with the Nyeri County government, with support from the Korea Scout Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kenya.

KSA says it supports investment in scouting and the development of Nyeri as a global scouting heritage destination but is concerned that the project is being developed without its involvement as the statutory national scouting organisation.

The association has questioned who prepared the Ksh.2 billion budget, who will own the land and completed facility, and who will administer the funds.

“Why was KSA not involved in the conception and development of this proposed Ksh.2 billion project?” the association asked in a statement, demanding disclosure of the project's governance, procurement, audit and accountability mechanisms.

KSA has also accused WSPU Kenya of creating parallel scouting programmes, including the “University of Scouting”, a training programme for Rover Scouts.

“Scouting programmes, training, youth activities, insignia and the administration of the Scout movement are matters that KSA is mandated to oversee,” the association said.

It has called on Parliament and WSPU leaders to clarify the organisation's role in Kenya and ensure parliamentary resources are not used to undermine KSA's statutory mandate.

The association has also cautioned the Korea Scout Association and the Korean Embassy to undertake legal and institutional due diligence before supporting the project, including establishing who will receive the funds and own and manage the facility.

KSA has formally denounced its Memorandum of Understanding with WSPU Kenya, saying the conduct complained of represents a serious departure from the agreement. It has also warned that it will pursue legal remedies to protect its mandate, property and members.

KSA Chief Commissioner Shujaa Victor Radido said the association supports development but wants investments in scouting undertaken lawfully and transparently.

“Scouting in Kenya has a legal identity. Scouting in Kenya has a national institution. That institution is the Kenya Scouts Association,” Radido said.

KSA is demanding full disclosure of the project's funding sources, ownership arrangements, financing commitments and the legal entity that will operate the proposed centre.