President Kenyatta said the organisation has inculcated in the hearts of the youth the value of volunteerism, service to others and helped elicit a higher sense of civic duty/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 23 — President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday applauded St John Ambulance Kenya volunteers for their exemplary work of charity that continues to save lives.
The President said the work of the organisation, which includes ambulance services, highway emergency response, first aid and safety training as well as maternal healthcare advocacy, has eased pain in many homes in Kenya.
He gave the organisation a personal donation of Sh10 million as a token of appreciation for the good work it is doing.
The President spoke when he addressed thousands of volunteers who gathered at State House, Nairobi, for the 91st Annual Inspection Parade of St John Ambulance.
President Kenyatta said the charity organization has played a major role in complementing government emergency services, especially in responding to road accidents.
“I am pleased to note every year you train 18,000 Kenyans, including Boda Boda operators, on emergency rescue measures,” said the President at the event also attended by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
He said the organisation’s role in road accident response was crucial because such accidents account for 88.4 deaths per 100,000 people while road accident injury fatalities are at a rate of 20.9 per 100,000 people.
“As we progress in transforming our nation, ushering in ultra-modern highways and transport corridors across the country, we, regrettably, continue to experience disturbing high rates of fatal injuries,” the President noted.
He said the government has rolled out a number of interventions that focus on addressing the effects of road accidents as well as other emergency disasters, particularly in terms of direct impacts on human health and safety.
St John Ambulance Kenya has 17 fully equipped rescue centres, each with 25 personnel, enabling it to provide emergency services to an average of 25,000 victims of road accidents annually.
The President spoke when he addressed thousands of volunteers who gathered at State House, Nairobi, for the 91st Annual Inspection Parade of St John Ambulance/PSCU
President Kenyatta said the organisation has inculcated in the hearts of the youth the value of volunteerism, service to others and helped elicit a higher sense of civic duty.
The organisation currently has 26,000 volunteers and is targeting to increase its membership to 50,000 by next year.
The Head of State said the Ministry of Health will formulate a new framework to work closely with St John Ambulance Kenya in implementing policies.
“Focus should be in the management of ambulance fleets and strengthening resilience in emergency and disaster preparedness, mitigation and response, and in training personnel with requisite rescue skills,” the President advised.
He said the government will support the organisation in the construction of a new headquarters and a trauma center. He also called on corporates and all Kenyans to support the organisation.
President Kenyatta, who serves as the patron of St John Ambulance Kenya, presented letters of appointment to new officials of the organisation. They included the incoming Prior, Paul Ndungu, and Deputy Prior Lazarus Kimanga.
The outgoing St John Ambulance Prior, Maj. (Rtd) Marsden Madoka, said the hosting of the parade at State House was a big motivation for volunteers.
Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki also spoke at the event.
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