Kenya to launch volunteer programme for university graduates

Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya will this year launch a volunteer programme where university graduates will be deployed to all parts of the country on voluntary basis to use their expertise in giving free service to the people.

Making the announcement Deputy President William Ruto said the programme modeled on international standards will enable the graduates to use their skills and expertise in education, in the provision of health services, infrastructure and in  other areas of  economic development.

Ruto was speaking Wednesday when he met officials from Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVS), who were accompanied by Japanese ambassador to Kenya Tatsuya Terada   at his official residence in Karen.

The Deputy President pointed out that other than working to uplift the living standards of the people, the volunteer graduates will have an opportunity to live and work in other areas outside their homes, a move, he added, will make them appreciate other communities and help build a cohesive society.

He lauded the government of Japan for being instrumental in starting the Kenyan volunteer programme noting the first programme this year will be funded by the Japanese government.

 Ruto further expressed appreciation for the contribution made by the Japanese volunteers in the economic development of the country   since 1966 when they began their volunteer programme in Kenya saying they had served humanity in Kenya well.

Said Ruto: “We don’t take it for granted that you take time from your country to come and work here in Kenya sometimes in harsh conditions to improve the living conditions of our people, the Government and the people of Kenya will forever be grateful to you for this gesture.”

Noting that the Government of Kenya and Japan have had cordial relationship since independence, The Deputy President observed that Japanese contribution to development around the country can easily be seen and singled out the 1.35 billion Narok water project he inaugurated last Friday as a case in point.

Speaking at the function the chief representative of JICA Hideo Eguchi said there were 76 Japanese volunteers in Kenya working in the fields of agriculture, water, environment, infrastructure and human resource development.

Noting their aim was to bring hope and change of mindset among the people, Eguchi emphasized that their programmes are geared towards the realization of vision 2030.

On his part the Japanese ambassador Tatsuya Terada outlined the importance of the volunteer programme adding that by thinking together and working together with Kenyans, the volunteers will help achieve the economic growth rate that Kenyans aspire to.