Government’s hazy moral compass: The rogue want a disciplined youth

President William Ruto has been on a national plea for months urging parents to instill good values in children, a move that has been met with sharp ridicule from the public and Kenyan youth.

Ruto's concerted efforts lie against the backdrop of a surge in online activism by the youth against his administration which led to the abduction of young people who have censured the state on social media.

Politicians among them National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Minority leader Junet Mohamed and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have also echoed the president's sentiments, calling on parents to model their children to become modest citizens.

Their sentiments have however been swiftly deflated by young activists and online users, as leaders have been called out for being quick to point an accusatory finger while forgetting their publicly displayed vices.

Reverend Carolyn Kiarie from the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Thika Diocese poked holes into the state's sanity call, noting that young people are only displaying the ill practice the state has been displaying.

"The young people are a result of the general society and the community and so if the young people are indisciplined it is a very clear mirror of what the society is because it is basically monkey see, money do," she said speaking to Citizen TV on Friday.

She added that the state bears no moral authority to call for restraint from the youth yet they have portrayed a rotten culture of corruption, unfulfilled promises and endless scandals.

"Who exactly has the standard to say that we are indiscipline and the DP (Kindiki) starts by saying that we need mentorship and I want to look at who are our mentors," she added.

"Is he and Joho supposed to be our mentors? How can they show us what vice is and then demand virtue from us. It is impossible."

She further maintained that the youth will remain relentless in censuring the state until permanent change is effected.

"We are not ready to be disciplined because if we go the way we are going we will not have a future for us and our children," Rev Karie added.

"The government should be ready that we will continue to be indisciplined if that is their definition of indiscipline."

Law student Mohammed Abdulah echoed Kiarie's sentiments, noting that the political class should instead introspect on their actions and not focus on silencing the youth. 

"We don't exist in isolation. The young people are a part of the very same society. They chose to express their dissatisfaction with what the government is doing in a particular manner," he said.

"It is more indiscipline to be corrupt, abduct young people, and shoot protestors than it is to call out transgressions by the government against the citizens. The choice of activism by young people will not be for the political class to dictate."

President Ruto has been under harsh ridicule from young Kenyans, over 80% of the nation's population, who have called for astute leadership and accountability from leaders.

The uproar sparked anti-government protests in June 2024 as young people called for the rejection of a bill proposing increased taxes.

The move caused the dropping of the bill, further forcing President Ruto to fire his Cabinet.

Social media has been awash with civic education and endless censures against Ruto and his government, calling for an apt change in leadership.