West Mugirango MP urges parents to monitor children during long holiday

Speaking at Ekenyoro Tech Secondary School during a dedication and prayer day for the 2026 KCSE candidates, Mogaka said the long holiday is the longest break in the academic calendar, lasting almost three months. He said it is the period when many teenagers are exposed to drug abuse, alcoholism, early pregnancies, boda boda culture and criminal gangs.

"This long holiday is here with us. I want to appeal to all parents in West Mugirango and Nyamira County at large, please monitor your children. Know where your child is, know who your child is walking with, and know what your child is doing on the phone," he said.

He said cases of teenage pregnancies and school dropouts in the region have been rising, especially after long holidays, and that parents are responsible for ensuring their children remain disciplined at home.(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/west-mugirango-mp-urges-parents-to-monitor-children-during-long-holiday)

"As leaders and as government, we are doing our part to educate your children, but once they close school and come home, they become your responsibility. Do not leave them to roam in markets, in shopping centres and in towns from morning to evening without any work. Idleness is very dangerous," he warned.

Mogaka said some parents have left their parenting duties to teachers and house helps and only remember their children when school fees are needed. He said parenting is a full-time job that requires close monitoring, guidance and spiritual nourishment.

He challenged parents to be role models, create time for family discussions and instil good morals, respect and hard work.

The MP urged parents to regulate the use of mobile phones and social media among school-going children.

"These small phones have become a big problem. Your child is in Form Two, Form Three, but he or she has a smartphone with TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp day and night. What are they watching? Who are they chatting with? As a parent, you must control that phone. Many children have been lured into bad behaviour through the phone," he said.

Mogaka also cautioned parents against allowing school-going children to take up boda boda business and other casual jobs during the holiday, saying it exposes them to accidents, drugs and "early money", which makes them lose interest in education.

"Let your child help you at home, let them go to church, let them revise their books. Do not allow a Form Three student to start riding a boda boda. That is the beginning of dropping out of school," he added.

Mogaka encouraged the KCSE candidates to remain focused in the few days left before the national examinations. He urged them to respect their teachers, obey school rules and put God first.

He promised that his office, through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), will continue to support the school by improving infrastructure, equipping the laboratory and supporting needy students with bursaries so that no student is sent home for school fees.

"To our candidates, we are praying for you. We believe in you. You have been prepared well by your teachers. Now go and make Nyakoria Secondary School, your parents and West Mugirango proud. Avoid bad company and stay focused," he told the candidates.

The Principal of Ekenyoro Secondary School, Edwin Onyango, thanked the MP for his continued support and echoed his remarks on parental responsibility. He said the school had done its best to prepare the candidates academically and spiritually, and it was now up to parents to maintain discipline at home.