By Job Weru

Bad leadership is to blame for political and economic woes, former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo has said.

Mr Kaparo, who is the Chief Scout, said leadership was on the spot and that measures were required to save wananchi.

"We urgently need to embrace scouting to save the country from impunity," said Kaparo.

Chief Commissioner of Scouts and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (left) with Chief Scout Francis ole Kaparo in Nyeri on Sunday during celebrations to mark Baden Powell Founder’s Day. Photo: Paul Mwangi/Standard

During the annual Scouts celebrations, Kaparo, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and US Embassy Agricultural Counsellor Stephen Hammond said scouts’ ideals would save Kenya from bad leadership by promoting peace and unity.

"The 2008 post-election violence was unpredictable. If all Kenyans were scouts, the country would have been peaceful," said Kalonzo, the movement’s Chief Commissioner.

Hardworking

Speaking at Kabiru-ini showground, a grandson of Lord Baden Powell, Mr Clay Adam, termed Kenyans generous, resourceful and hardworking.

Adam said the country’s 500,000 scouts and girl guides should guide the nation to prosperity.

"Scouts share and celebrate many differences and similarities, but become one in scouting," said Adam.

"Let us make Kenya a great nation and celebrate it by embracing the scouts’ motto of peace and oneness," said Adam.

Present were Gender Minister and Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi and Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Kabando wa Kabando.

Mr Kabando said his ministry was incorporating inputs from diverse groups of youths to maintain diversity.

Murugi said only scouting-minded leaders would resuscitate Kenya, noting "Scouts do not have boundaries or tribes".