President William Ruto has called on parents to embrace their parental responsibilities, emphasizing that the government cannot replace the role of parents in raising children.
Speaking on Saturday, December 21, during a wedding ceremony in Mombasa, Ruto criticized the tendency of some parents to leave the upbringing of their children to the government.
“Our priority as parents is to take care of our children. We should teach them the word of God and guide them against bad behavior. Most parents leave their responsibilities to the government,” Ruto said.
While acknowledging the government’s role in providing education, healthcare, and other services, the President stressed that moral guidance and discipline must begin at home.
Ruto noted that many of the criminals engaging in illegal activities are youths who lacked proper guidance from their parents.
“The criminals we deal with are our children from our homes. It is our responsibility to guide them to ensure they do not become offenders. We will intervene firmly to deal with criminals—those who kill, engage in drug trafficking, femicide, and other unlawful acts,” he stated.
The President urged parents, particularly mothers, to mentor and nurture their children to prevent such occurrences.
“If children go astray, the country will not have a future. This is not solely the responsibility of the government; it is a collective project involving parents, religious leaders, and society as a whole,” Ruto said.
Ruto cautioned against blame games, urging all stakeholders to play their roles in shaping the moral fabric of society.
“Finger-pointing and blame games will not help us. Do your part as a mother, as a father, and as religious institutions. The government will do its part,” he said.
He reminded Kenyans that children are a blessing from God and called on parents to spend time with their families, especially during the festive season.
“Take time to care for your children. Let us ensure we raise a generation with good morals and values for the future of our country,” Ruto added.
