John Munyes, who as a child received educational assistance from World Vision, has joined Kenya’s new government under President Emilio Mwai Kibaki, the nation’s first new president in 24 years. Mr. Munyes has been named assistant minister for Water Resources Development and Management. “Without educational assistance from World Vision, I would not be a government minister today,” Munyes told an audience at the recent opening of Pokotom Primary School in Turkana District. The school was financed with the help of a $42,350 gift from World Vision.

In his remarks, Munyes, who is also minister for Kenya’s Turkana North District, urged Kenyans to participate fully in the development of their country, rather than “wait for donors to do everything for them.”

Meanwhile, Munyes has called on the international community to rescue 82,000 refugees from neighboring countries now living in his district. He said the government has been strained beyond limit by people purporting to be seeking asylum while their countries are at peace.