(PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD)
Scouts in Nairobi may not participate in the counties scouts cluster competitions in Makueni later this week for lack of funds.
Nairobi County Scouts Commissioner Alice Kihungi visited the group at Jadamy Elite Academy, in Ruai on Saturday but gave them no hopes.
She, however, appealed to well-wishers to step in and support the group.
Successful students in the recently completed county competitions from different categories, primary to university level, will pitch camp in Makueni to battle in the cluster category.
“I am here to encourage our team and appeal for well-wishers to come out and support us in any way they can. The county scouting will provide human resources to take them through the competition,” said Ms Kihungi.
“The parents are tasked with the burden of paying for everything for their children, which they have faithfully paid since the zonal competitions, putting students from less fortunate families at a disadvantage,” she added.
The competitions are scheduled to start on June 24 and end on June 27. Nairobi County is expected to take nine teams which include those between 18 and 25 years of age, a group which has three teams, and those aged between 11-15 years, a group which will have six teams.
Jadamy Scouts leader Kenneth Opiyo, who is one of the leaders of a team of eight pupils from Jadamy Elite Academy, said his team is ready and looking forward to the dates because they have gained the knowledge to enable them move to the next level.
“Our hope is to go for the zonal competitions which brings on board six countries. This can only happen when they participate in the sub-counties which brings together four counties: Machakos, Makueni, Nairobi and Kajiado. The Government needs to assist parents, especially those from private schools because they feel overloaded financially,” Master Opiyo said.
