Dear Fellow Rover Scouts, I am pleased to join you here at Kenyatta University on this occasion as we gather to promote sustainable peace, love, tolerance and co-existence through sharing a meal and planting trees. I thank Raycylus, Mutava, Winnie and their organizing team for this great initiative. The need for peace in Kenya and the world at large is greater than any other need we may have as humanity. All of us are called to become Messengers of Peace. As the young people of Kenya Scouts Association, I am glad we have answered this call and are taking action to ensure that our country does not experience the violence, hatred and divisive politics that are associated with the election period. At the recent 7th National Scout Youth Forum held in late September we adopted an over-arching theme that will run across all our youth events for the next one year; i.e. “Scouting for Peace and Positive Change”. The aim is that, based on the definition of Scouting as being open to all without discrimination and founded on strong values and principles, we can use Scouting to unite all people and promote positive change and development with active youth participation. Let us make the world understand this-that if people of all nations, all races, all cultures, all tribes, all religions, all ages and those of divergent political persuasions can be united in Scouting; then what reason is there as to why the same people should fight elsewhere. This is how powerful the Scouting movement can be in taking leadership in the promotion of peace. Therefore, I call upon all us here today, to make a commitment. A commitment founded on the “Promise of Peace” guided by words of our National Anthem. I invite you to stand up and be counted as Messengers of Peace. The stability of this great nation of Kenya rests upon all the peace loving citizens who shall not allow selfishness, tribalism, divisive politics and violence to divide us. And I believe all us gathered here today are prepared for this task. The Holy Bible tells us in Mathew 5:9 that “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called children of God”. It further goes on to say in Mark 9:50 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltiness, of what use shall it be? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another…” Ladies and gentlemen, of what kind is the world without peace? Therefore brothers and sisters in Scouting as God has commanded us, let us go out and make Messengers of Peace. So as you leave here take the message of peace with you. May it begin with your inner self then spread around. Infect as many as possible with the positive message of peace, tolerance and non-violence. Instead of hate speech let us talk love speech. Instead of tribalism let us form one Tribe Kenya. Instead of partisan politics let us embrace issue-based politics. Instead of violence let’s choose peace. And together I believe we can realize a more united and prosperous Kenya and a better world for all. May the peace of God which passes all understanding be with us all today and always. God bless Scouting. God bless Kenya. Thank you! Yours in Scouting; Nelson Ochieng OpanyNational Youth Representative, KSAEmail: nelson.opany@kenyascouts.org, Cell: +254 726 951 296