President William Ruto has called on Kenyan parents to take full responsibility for raising and guiding their children, warning that leaving this role to the government, the church, or the police is both dangerous and ineffective.
Speaking during a Sunday church service at AIC Bomani in Machakos, Ruto emphasized that children are a blessing from God and that families must take charge in nurturing their values and discipline.
“Our children are a gift from God to our families and the nation,” Ruto said. “Parenting is a God-given responsibility. Don’t pass it to the church, the government, or strangers.”
He criticized the tendency of some parents to rely on law enforcement to handle misbehaving youth, saying that the police are trained to deal with crime, not child-rearing.
“If you surrender your children to the police, what do you expect?” Ruto asked. “The police are not trained to parent—they are trained to handle criminals.”
Ruto’s remarks come in the wake of widespread protests across Kenya, mostly led by youth dissatisfied with rising living costs, government policies, and what they view as shrinking democratic space.
Recent demonstrations—especially the ones on July 7 and June 25—have turned deadly. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the July 7 protests left 31 people dead and 107 injured, many reportedly shot by police. Amnesty International Kenya reported at least 16 deaths during the June 25 protests.
“Misuse of Youth” by Politicians
The President also warned political leaders against using young people to advance their agendas through violence and protests.
“Some leaders are inciting the youth to destroy property and cause chaos. That is not leadership; that is manipulation,” Ruto said. “You have no plan for the country—only chaos.”
He added that Kenya’s youth have immense potential and their energy should be directed toward building the country, not destroying it.
“Let’s invest in our young people, mentor them, and guide them to become responsible citizens,” he said.
Ruto defended his tough stance on security during protests, which has drawn criticism from rights groups over police brutality and the use of live ammunition on unarmed protesters.
On July 9, Ruto ordered the police to shoot in the leg anyone caught looting or destroying property during demonstrations.
“If someone is destroying businesses, shoot them in the leg. Let them go to hospital and then to court. We cannot tolerate destruction,” Ruto declared.
He labeled attacks on police stations and officers as acts of terrorism, insisting the state would respond with strength and determination.
“We will not allow a nation to be governed by violence. Attacking police is terrorism—we will deal with it firmly.”
Despite the government’s firm response, critics have accused the police of using excessive force, with growing calls for accountability over protest-related deaths, abductions, and injuries.
The rising discontent signals a population growing increasingly frustrated with economic hardships, political tension, and the high cost of living—putting both the government and the opposition under pressure to offer meaningful solutions.
As Kenya navigates these turbulent times, President Ruto’s call for stronger parenting comes with a deeper message: shaping the nation’s future starts at home. But whether that message resonates with struggling families, disillusioned youth, and a restless political climate remains to be seen.
