Kenya Scouts Association accuses WSPU Kenya of mandate overreach

The Kenya Scouts Association has threatened to withdraw its Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenyan chapter of the World Scout Parliamentary Union over what it terms unlawful and gross interference with scouting activities in the country.

Through its chief commissioner, Victor Radido, KSA says it has observed increasing unauthorised activities being spearheaded by WSPU Executive Director Poppins Misoi and other WSPU agents.

According to Radido, KSA is the only legally mandated body allowed to run scout activities in the country in accordance with the Scout Act, CAP 219 of the Laws of Kenya. The mandate, Radido noted, includes the registration of scouts and scout leaders, training of scouts, and the production and distribution of official scouts’ uniform badges and merchandise.

He said that Misoi has been using the unconstitutional title of WSPU Kenya Executive Director to illegally perform some KSA roles, including directly engaging learning institutions and registering scouts without authorisation.

Radido has also accused Misoi of attempting to register former scouts, as well as handle the distribution of scouts’ uniforms and scouting merchandise, which he noted falls outside WSPU’s mandate.

“For the last 10 years, WSPU and KSA have maintained a cordial working relationship, which has been mutually beneficial under the clear guidance of the MoU that we signed. We regret to inform the public that this relationship has been undermined by the recent events undertaken by one gentleman who has brought confusion in this caucus by acting outside of both the law and the MoU which we signed,” Radido said.

Radido, however, clarified that KSA is on good terms with the global WSPU. He said KSA’s tiff with WSPU Kenya stems from its choice to abdicate its primary duties and take on roles meant for KSA.

“At the global level, WSPU enjoys a consultative status with the World Organisation of the Scouting Movement. This status clearly defines WSPU's role as supportive through advocacy, legislation, fundraising, in cooperation with and not in competition with the National Scouts Association,” said Radido.

“We want parliamentarians to do the work they are supposed to do for this country. They should let scouting be done by scouts, and the role of parliamentarians in that caucus is to support in resource mobilisation, support in networking, and in areas of legislation, which they have not done since we signed the MoU,” he added.

Radido is now calling on WSPU Global President John Kiarie, who is also the Dagoretti South Member of Parliament, and his vice chairperson Tabitha Mutinda to restore order within WSPU Kenya and ensure strict adherence to the MoU and the global consultative framework. Failure to do this, Radido said, will leave KSA with no choice but to cease all engagements with WSPU Kenya.

“We urge them to immediately ensure that WSPU Kenya and its officers strictly confine themselves to their supportive parliamentary role and cease all interference with the mandate, operations, and authority of KSA. Until full compliance is demonstrated, KSA will not engage with the WSPU Kenyan chapter in any capacity whatsoever,” he said.

When reached for comment on the matter, Misoi refuted claims that WSPU had hijacked KSA’s mandate.

He clarified that all activities currently being undertaken by WSPU are in furtherance of the scouting movement, adding that they are for the benefit of KSA.

Misoi also told KNA that WSPU was not in a position to adequately respond to any of the grievances, given that the KSA was yet to lodge any formal complaint.

“It is unfortunate that WSPU has to learn about these grievances through the media. Our MoU with KSA clearly stipulates the procedure to be followed by either party in the event of a disagreement, and I would urge our partners to follow that process so that we can address the concern,” Misoi said during a phone interview.

Scouts coordinator at the Ministry of Education, Eliud Wambua, acknowledged the contribution of scouting as one of the mentorship programmes that has excelled in correcting morals and instilling values in learners.

While calling for a swift resolution of the dispute, Wambua urged KSA and WSPU to resolve the impasse outside the school environment as a way of safeguarding minors from any adverse effects arising from the administrative dispute.

“As a Ministry, we would wish to request that we find a way to ensure that the issues at hand are resolved within the confines of the law. Where there are issues of management and administration, these issues should be handled outside institutions that house our scouting fraternity,” he said.