President Ruto tells parents to teach children good morals

President William Ruto has called for a concerted effort to instill good values in children. 

Speaking against the backdrop of a surge in online activism by the youth against the Kenya Kwanza administration, Ruto while commissioning the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Kerio Valley campus on Thursday, called for a whole of society approach to monitor children and remedy what he termed as "social ills and moral decay".

“We must have a whole of society approach, making sure that the government and religious organisations contribute their part,” said President Ruto.

“Parents must be at the centre, making sure that not only are our children in class but also mentor them so that we can build good character and make sure that they don’t get into bad character with people who want to make our children, citizens that will not be good for our nation.”

Ruto’s sentiments echo that of his deputy, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who likewise underscored the importance of youth having good morals and mentors in society that they can look up to.

“Some of our young people are very gifted, talented and innovative but they don’t want to be mentored by anybody because they think they know it all and everybody else does not know anything,” Kindiki said in a previous event.

He added: “You can’t tell them anything because they think they know everything and that is a dangerous approach. It doesn’t matter how gifted or talented you are, you must allow to be mentored; there is no shortcut. It is a principle of life, all religions, philosophies and cultures recognize the place of mentorship by other people.”

In December 2024, Ruto urged parents to play an active role in instilling moral values in their children in order to combat rising crime rates and social ills.

Speaking at a wedding ceremony in Mombasa, the President emphasised that finger-pointing and blame games will not solve problems like femicide and drug trafficking.

He noted that parents must shoulder their responsibility in shaping the moral character of their children, as the government cannot substitute this crucial role.

“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,” President Ruto said.

Ruto likewise assured Kenyans that the government is still committed to providing essential services such as education and healthcare, while also intervening to protect public interests when necessary.

“We will intervene firmly to deal with criminals—those who kill, engage in drug trafficking, femicide, and other unlawful acts,” he stated.