President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, May 29 ordered the government to prioritize the employment of interns and graduates who have worked with volunteer organizations such as the St John's Ambulance.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, where he presided over the 92nd inspection parade of the St John Ambulance Kenya, he opined that youth who do voluntary work display social responsibility.
He argued that the country needed to appreciate volunteerism and the value it brought to the country and that through the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) the practice would be inculcated into future leaders.
"I further call upon our Government institutions to grant preference to interns and attachés who have certified volunteer experience from certified charitable organizations such as St. John.
"By placing a value on volunteerism, we shall be nurturing a higher calling and building a strong sense of civic responsibility amongst the leaders of today and tomorrow,” he explained.
President Kenyatta was also feted with an award by Queen Elizabeth, who, through Chancellor Dr Gillia Willmore, knighted the Head of State to the Order of St John for his service to humanity.
"Let me once again thank Her Majesty the Queen for the incredible honour; and promise, even as I retire, I commit myself to the service of humanity not just in Kenya but globally,” President Kenyatta said.
Uhuru, who is St John's Chief Patron lauded the humanitarian institution as an example of the impact voluntary work has on society. He lauded the organization for its contribution to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Since St John Ambulance was started in Kenya back in 1923, it has led the way in the provision of ambulance and paramedical services. Following your lead, many more ambulance services in the public and private sphere have sprung up,” the President stated.
He revealed that the institution had been working on a programme of offering first aid training to road users, with the pilot programme seeking to train 200 bodaboda riders on the skill.
President Kenyatta announced a Ksh50 million annual Government sponsorship for the organization starting with Ksh100 million this financial year.
