Kenya

Kenya Guide Law

1. A Guide’s honour is to be trusted
2. A Guide is loyal
3. A Guide’s duty is to be useful and to help others
4. A Guide is a friend to all and a sister to every other Guide
5. A Guide is polite and considerate
6. A Guide preserves and loves nature
7. A Guide is obedient and has respect for others
8. A Guide is courageous and is cheerful under all circumstances
9. A Guide is careful and avoids wastefulness
10. A Guide is pure in thought, word and deed

Kenya Brownie Law

A Brownie is truthful, obedient and cheerful.
Brownie thinks of others before herself

Development of the Movement

Guiding began in Kenya in 1920, when the first Guide company held its meeting in the grounds of Government House in Nairobi. A Brownie pack was started in the same year in a primary school, and in 1923 a Cadet company was opened in Nairobi. In 1922 the Association was registered as a Branch Association of the Girl Guides Association (UK).

During the early years, Guiding was confined to schools attended only by European girls, but in 1935 the first Indian Guide company and Brownie pack were opened in Nairobi. The following year saw the introduction of the first Guide company for African girls. Guiding spread rapidly, except during the Second World War, and in 1943 the first rally for African Guides was held. In 1949 the fairy lore imagery used in Brownie activities was replaced by bird lore, which had more relevance to the Kenyan girl.

In 1963, the Guide House was officially opened for training by Lady Baden Powell. Kenya also became a Tenderfoot Member of WAGGGS. In 1972, the Kenya Girl Guides Association celebrated its Golden Jubilee with an International Camp.

Kenya Girl Guides Association attained full membership of WAGGGS in 1975 when the Africa Region Committee was also established.

Lady Olave Baden Powell died in 1977, and a memorial service was held at All Saints Cathedral, with her ashes being buried in Nyeri.

In 1985, Kenya celebrated the 75th World Guiding Anniversary. National ceremonies were held and special 75th Anniversary Stamps were issued by the Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation.

The 26th WAGGGS World Conference was held at Egerton University College, Njoro in 1987, and this was the first World Conference ever held on African soil. In 1991, the Kenya Girl Guides Association hosted the Euro-Africa Seminar.

In 1992, the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Kenya Girl Guides Association was graced by the presence of Lady Patience Baden Powell, for the official opening of the Transitional Workshop for Disabled Girls in Mombasa.

In 1997, the Association celebrated 75 years of Guiding and the renovation of its Headquarters:

• 75th Anniversary Stamps issued by Kenya Posts and Telecommunications.
• A visit to Kenya by Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark
• Task-force assessment of the 5th WAGGGS World Centre.
• Hosting of the Africa Region Training for Trainers and the evaluation workshop of WAGGGS Youth Service Team.
• International camp on ‘Water is Life’.

In 1998, the Renovated Headquarters were officially opened by His Excellency Hon. Daniel Arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya. This year also saw the launching of the Trefoil Guild and members of the Association joining the Olave Baden Powell Society.