Press Release: Driver Recognition Programme

Friday, June 10, 2016
East African 1st Driver Recognition Programme hosted in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya, 10th June, 2016 – For the first time, the East African 1st Driver Recognition Programme, a non monetary incentive competition to motivate drivers to perform better will be hosted in Kenya from 10th to 11th June 2016 in Lukenya. The Driver Recognition Programme is an eco- and safe driving inter-agency competition that recognises the important role drivers play in the sustainability, health and safety objectives, of aid and development organisations. The event is co-ordinated and facilitated by Fleet Forum, an international organisation that brings the fleet or transport sector together to chart a way in fleet management and road safety.

“This event is designed to engage, educate, inspire and recognise our best drivers for their contribution, in supporting a workforce of persons who drive safely and remain accident-free at all times, in order to save lives and eliminate accident-related costs.” says World Vision Kenya National Director Dickens Thunde

International humanitarian organisations like World Food Programme (WFP), GOAL, Catholic Relief Services, US Peace Corps Kenya, Marie Stopes and United Nations Development Program drivers will participate. Qualifying rounds took place for the drivers to participate in the recognition programme, and out of 275 only the top 14 qualified from seven international humanitarian organisations. The programme will also nurture a workforce of drivers who are fuel efficient, reducing operational costs with impact on the environment.  

“Time spent on the road is the most dangerous part of a humanitarian worker’s job, and many are prone to injury or killed, in vehicle-related incidents, than by any other means.”says Mr. Thunde.

According to the Kenya National Transport and Safety Authority information published in their 2015 Road Safety Status Report, more than 1.24 million people globally, currently die on road accidents annually. The death toll is highest in developing countries despite low motorisation, where more than 90 per-cent of fatalities occur. Globally, it is the leading cause of death for people aged 15–29 years. The report added that an estimated 3,000 deaths from road crashes occur annually in Kenya and about 40 per-cent are pedestrians. The road safety status report indicated that in Kenya, the economic cost of road crashes is 5.6 per-cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Kenya shillings 300 billion, annually.

“The programme will also promote healthy behaviour among our driver workforce in order to prolong their quality of life,” says Mr. Thunde. 

According to the recently published World Health Organisation Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015, there are no laws for helmet wearing, blood-alcohol concentration levels for drivers or child restraints in Kenya. Where road safety laws exist, they are poorly enforced. The Driver Recognition Programme will see teams participating in the competition, and will undergo three challenges, to determine who is the best team out of the participating international humanitarian organisations.

 “Safe and efficient transport is the backbone of humanitarian aid, but the link between well-managed transport capacity and cost effective programme delivery, is not always well understood,” says Mr. Thunde.

World Vision and World Food Programme are the co-hosts of this event. UPS Foundation and FIA Foundation, has supported resources to develop the entire programme as well as sponsoring the Driving Champion Award. The sponsorship team for the event also include Catholic Relief Services that secured a local event management services for the final event, Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings (TGS) that has provided an in-house trainer to facilitate a workshop, Globatrack and Terramar Networks.

Announcement of Driving Champion 2016, will be presented by Paul Mooney, on behalf of Award Sponsor, UPS. This outstanding event, will be graced by Executive Director, Fleet Forum, Paul Jansen and World Vision International Global Fleet Director, Lukas Nel.

“The event that will showcase driving skills of drivers, on what they have learnt, for better engagement and motivation as they discharge their duties” says Mr Thunde.

World Vision Kenya, has received numerous awards from the Association of Kenya Insurance (AKI), In recognition of contribution towards road safety in 2009, 2010 and 2012. A Global Award Certificate of Excellence for leading change and enhancing performance throught fleet safety was presented to the organisation by World Vision International President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Jenkins in 2012.

Fleet Forum organisation was formed in 2003, to encourage, facilitate, and develop relationships between humanitarian aid and development organisations, globally. It has grown to encompass commercial transport organisations that share concerns about road safety, green or eco practices and fleet efficiency. The organisations that are behind the successful growth of Fleet Forum include, International Federation of the Red Cross, Red Crescent Societies , TNT, The United Nations, WFP, UPS, and World Vision International.

About World Vision Kenya

World Vision Kenya is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. For 40 years, World Vision initiatives in Kenya have helped strengthen the well-being of children in 57 Area Development Programmes, spread across 35 of the 47 counties, nationwide.

World Vision Kenya’s strategic goal is to contribute to the increased protection, participation and well-being of 2.6 million most vulnerable children and 14 million children by 2020 through advocacy and policy influence.

World Vision's community development approach in Kenya, focuses on livelihoods and resilience, child protection, education, health and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

Through our advocacy work, we enable the voices of the children and their communities to reach decision-makers, who have the power to change unjust policies and practices. We partner with the Government, communities, donors and corporates to increase protection, participation and well being of the most, vulnerable children.

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For more information please contact

World Vision Kenya

Communications Manager,

May Ondeng

Email: May_Ondeng@wvi.org

Cell: +254 712 267655

  

World Vision Kenya

Fleet Supervisor

Richard Opagala

World Vision Kenya

E-mail:  Richard_opagala@wvi.org

Cell: +254733537665 

 

For Children. For Change. For Life