Parents have been advised to monitor their children’s movements and create time to be with them during school holidays to ensure they are always safe and engaged in productive work.
Renowned philanthropist John Mwenda Rutere, son of the late Pharis Rutere, former secretary general of Njuri Ncheke Meru Council of Elders and National chairman of the Council of Elders, urged parents to always keep their children busy to prevent them from engaging in unproductive or risky activities.
Speaking at St John Methodist Church, Kiirua in Meru, during a fund drive to build an administration block for St. John Academy Kiirua, to which he donated Sh 1 million, Mwenda called on parents to always know their children’s whereabouts.
He said churches have many activities where parents can engage their children instead of letting them stay idle at home.
“Let us monitor and always create time for our children during the holidays. Let us keep them busy, including getting them jobs, even in supermarkets, volunteering, or engaging them in church activities.
Parents, especially fathers, should spend time with their children by arriving home early, talking to them, and reviewing their academic report forms. Fathers should never abdicate the responsibility of raising the children to the mothers because it is wrong. It is very important to be involved in our children’s lives,” said Mwenda.
Mwenda urged parents not to focus only on their routine work but also to create time for their children so that they can discuss and direct them positively.
He noted that the majority of the children, especially the youths, indulge in immoral activities, alcoholism, drugs and substance abuse.
He attributed this to parents’ failure to bother to find out what their children are doing at home.
“We must invest in our children’s future through a good education. The future of the country depends on the youth through proper education.
Meru has great potential, and that is why we should give priority to the education of our children. We should embrace the idea that education is the key to success,” he said.
The school’s treasurer, Charles Kiumbe, said the money raised would be appropriately utilised, noting that it would go a long way in ensuring that the school gets the administration block and other school infrastructures to enable smooth learning for the children.
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On leadership, Mwenda advised the electorate to vote for trustworthy leaders with a good track record and good character.
He said that in Meru County, some politicians have remained in their positions for several years yet don’t deliver to the electorate because voters only consider handouts when casting votes.
“Time has come to focus on amending the constitution to give members of the national assembly, the Senate and the county assembly a time limit, just as the presidency and governors have a two-term limit of 10 years.
He said the governor should be supported so that he can deliver, noting that Meru County has lagged behind in development due to the political wranglers witnessed there before.
“County operations and development in Meru almost reached a standstill due to a leadership crisis. We should not complain when things go wrong after electing unfit individuals. We are the problem. Let’s look for integrity, character and track record. Some have overstayed in the post and should resign to pave the way for fresh blood. We should stop recycling leaders,” he said.
He urged elected leaders to donate part of their salaries to development projects, noting they can comfortably leave on the allowances because they have already earned a lot of money during their working time.
By John Majau
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