Volunteer workers. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Fifty-one percent of the adult population in Kenya took part in volunteering activities in 2015 leading to injection of Sh236 billion into the economy, cites a research finding.
Currently, the country’s population stands at 47.2 million with an adult population of 27.3 million, according to United Nations estimates in 2015. A report released by Usitawi Development Consultants through the East African African Community, Labour, and Social Protection ministry, 58.35 percent of the volunteers are from urban areas while 41.65 percent were from the rural.
Dubbed “Contribution of Volunteer Work on Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”, the report says more men take part in volunteering activities at 55.41 percent compared to women at 44.59 percent. However, of concern to the ministry officials is that 78 percent of volunteers are married.
Addressing journalists at the Ministry offices, Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said there is a need for multi-sectoral collaboration to coordinate, accredit and recognize volunteerism, saying if well tracked, there would be more injection into the economy.
“Volunteer activities and practices have remained uncoordinated and inadequately supported at a national level. It is time to combine efforts in coming up with researched and qualified information so that volunteer activities are included in development plans and budgets,” she said.
Volunteer work has been compared to the manufacturing and education industries which are among the highest contributors to the GDP with nine and 4.85 percent contributions respectively.