President William Ruto on Wednesday presided over the Gold Award Presentation ceremony at State House, Nairobi, where 1,252 youths were honoured for their exceptional service, resilience and leadership in community development.
The awards, presented under the President’s Award programme, recognise young people who voluntarily engage in life-skills training, ethical leadership and community service aimed at strengthening society. The President also issued special citations to outstanding youths and institutions, including Borstal institutions, for their notable achievements under the programme.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Ruto lauded Kenyan youth as a powerful force for national transformation, saying their ability to change the country’s fortunes is “unshakeable.
“Our young people have extraordinary potential, competence, energy, resolve and talent to turn Kenya’s grand ambition into reality,” President Ruto said. “They rank among the best in the world and, in the long run, they will build Kenya into a first-world economy.”
The Head of State reaffirmed that the government will continue to place young people at the centre of its economic transformation agenda, noting that their skills and innovation are critical to achieving sustainable development.
President Ruto also cautioned the youth against engaging in divisive and retrogressive politics, urging them to remain focused on positive values, hard work and nation-building.
To further motivate youth participation, the President called on relevant stakeholders to double the budgetary allocation for the President’s Award programme in the next financial year.
The President’s Award scheme was established in 1966 and has since seen over one million youths participate in activities aimed at personal development, leadership training and community service across the country.