NAIROBI, Kenya- In a strong message aimed at both parents and religious leaders, President William Ruto has urged Kenyan parents to step up and take full responsibility for raising their children, stressing that the government cannot and should not play the role of a parent.
“The government of Kenya cannot preach to our children. They cannot teach them the word of God or what is good for them,” Ruto declared.
“The government cannot parent your children. You must do your job. You must talk to them. The church wants to blame the government. The parents want to blame the government. Every parent must look after their children. We must stop the blame game.”
Ruto’s statement comes amid growing concerns over rising crime rates and moral decay, with many pointing fingers at various societal institutions, including the government, religious organizations, and schools.
The President, however, shifted the responsibility squarely onto the shoulders of parents and religious leaders, urging them to mentor, guide, and spend quality time with their children.
“I want to ask every parent to look after their children, mentor your children and have time for your children,” he added.
“The government cannot be a parent to your children. The leadership of our religious institutions, preach to our children. The government has no capacity to preach in church. It is our responsibility to deal with criminals. But the criminals we deal with come as a result of the failure of parents to mentor their children and the failure of the church to teach good morals.”
In a call for collaboration, Ruto asked religious leaders to play a more active role in teaching morals and values.
He argued that criminal behavior is often the result of a breakdown in the family unit and the failure of community institutions to instill discipline in children.
“Many people are encouraging us to arrest these criminals, which is okay. But the time we arrest and jail these people, we are dealing with a very bad situation,” he said, emphasizing the need to prevent crime through proactive mentorship rather than reactive measures.
The President’s comments have sparked debate across the nation.
Some parents agree with the need for greater personal responsibility, while others argue that the government has a role to play in providing support for families, especially in underprivileged areas.
“We cannot deny that the government should offer more resources to parents—whether it’s through educational programs, youth mentorship, or providing safe spaces for children,” said Mary Mutiso, a Nairobi-based social worker.
“But at the end of the day, it’s the parents who need to take the lead in raising their children right.”
Religious leaders, too, have weighed in on the President’s remarks. While some agreed with Ruto’s call for moral guidance, others cautioned against placing the entire burden on churches and families.
“The church is already playing its part in guiding the youth spiritually,” said Reverend Grace Nyambura, a pastor in Nairobi.
“However, the government should work alongside us to provide a more holistic approach, focusing on education, mental health, and youth empowerment.”
Experts in youth development also suggest that the increasing numbers of young offenders in Kenya cannot solely be attributed to failures within the family unit or the church.
Poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and social inequality also play significant roles in shaping a child’s future, they argue.
“This issue is multifaceted,” said Dr. John Wanjiru, a child psychologist. “While parenting is crucial, the socio-economic environment in which children grow up has a profound impact. We need policies that support families in marginalized areas and create opportunities for children to thrive.”
In his address, Ruto urged parents to take ownership of the future of their children, but also acknowledged the importance of collaborative efforts between government, religious institutions, and the wider community in addressing the issue of crime and moral decay.
