Two senior Kenyan scout leaders have received international recognition for their exemplary service to the young people.

Victor Radido, the Chief Commissioner of the Kenya Scouts Association, and Antony Gitonga, the Association International Commissioner, were jointly awarded the Silver World Award by Scouting America.

The award is among the highest honours bestowed by the American scouting body, given exclusively to non-U.S. citizens whose service to youth has had a global impact.

Since its inception in 1971, only three other Kenyans, among them founding President Jomo Kenyatta and his successor, Daniel arap Moi, have received the distinction.

Speaking at the Silver Buffalo Awards Dinner in Florida, U.S.A, Radido said that the award is not just a personal honour but a collective effort of all Kenyan Scouts, volunteers, staff, and supporters who have contributed to their mission.

He said that their recognition comes on the back of major milestones achieved under their stewardship.

In 2024, the Kenya Scouts Association was named a Growth Award winner by the World Scout Organisation in Cairo. The association had doubled its membership to 4.4 million youth across the country, supported by nearly 120,000 adult volunteers, placing it third globally in terms of growth and outreach.

Radido, who also chairs the Eastern Africa Scout Zone, has championed several impactful programs in the country including the large-scale environmental conservation initiatives.

According to him, the scouts have planted over five million trees in the last four years and digital safety training aimed at equipping youth with the knowledge to safely navigate and innovate in online spaces.

The association has also played a crucial role in peace advocacy, training young peace ambassadors deployed in high-risk areas to combat hate speech and promote community dialogue.

Established in 1910 and operating under Cap 219 of the Laws of Kenya, the Kenya Scouts Association remains the largest youth movement in the country and is under the patronage of President William Ruto.

Radido said that the movement continues to provide young people with opportunities to grow as active, solution-oriented citizens.