President William Ruto has called on parents to take full responsibility for raising their children, warning that handing them over to institutions like the police or church cannot replace parental guidance.
Why is Ruto urging parents to take charge of their children?
Speaking during a Sunday service at AIC Bomani Church in Machakos County, Ruto emphasized the family’s central role in shaping young people. “Our children are a gift from God to our families and the nation. We must mentor them; parenting is a God-given responsibility,” he said. “Don’t abdicate it to the church or the government. Don’t let your child be brought up by passers-by.”
Ruto criticized the trend of relying on law enforcement when children go astray. “All of us must take responsibility if our children do the wrong thing. The police are trained to deal with criminals, not in parenting. If you surrender your children to the police, what do you expect? I take time to parent my children, and so must everybody.”
What is Ruto’s message to political leaders about the youth?
Ruto condemned political leaders who involve youth in violent protests and the destruction of property. “Leaders, let us not misuse or abuse our children by inciting them to cause violence, destroy property, and people’s businesses,” he said. He accused some politicians of exploiting chaos for personal gain. “Some leaders anticipate that when there is violence, they will advance their political activity. You have no plan for Kenya and are just relying on chaos so you can become somebody? That is the rock bottom of any form of leadership.”
He called for unity in helping young people use their talents productively. “Our children’s energy and talent are important for building Kenya going forward, and it is our collective responsibility to make sure we guide and mentor them,” Ruto added.
How has Ruto responded to recent youth-led protests?
Ruto’s comments follow recent nationwide protests against his administration’s economic policies. On July 9, he issued a strong warning to political actors financing youth-led unrest and gave a controversial directive to security forces: “Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court. Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs.”
He condemned attacks on police stations during the June 25 protests, calling them acts of terrorism. “Those who attack our police, security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. It is terrorism, and we are going to deal with you firmly. We cannot have a nation run by terror and governed by violence; it will not happen under my watch,” Ruto said.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the July 7 protests resulted in 31 deaths and 107 injuries, while the June 25 demonstrations left at least 16 dead, most of them shot by police, according to Amnesty International Kenya. Business premises were also vandalized across 15 counties, raising concerns over increasing state-citizen tension. Critics have accused the police of brutality, including the use of live bullets against unarmed demonstrators.
By Lucky Anjanje