- Parents in Kwale have been challenged to take greater responsibility for guiding and disciplining their children.
- Matuga Assistant County Commissioner Florence Muriuki says families must complement teachers and security agencies.
- Youth have also been urged to embrace education, TVET, entrepreneurship and talent development instead of crime.
Matuga Assistant County Commissioner Florence Muriuki has blamed poor parenting for rising cases of indiscipline among young people in Kwale County, urging parents to take a more active role in raising and guiding their children.
Muriuki said parents should complement the efforts of teachers and security agencies by instilling discipline and moral values in their children from an early age.
Speaking during International Youth Day celebrations at Ng’ombeni within Matuga Sub-county, she said children needed both secular and religious education to grow into responsible citizens.
“I believe if we give our children good religious and secular education and advice, we will end up having a God-fearing and prosperous generation,” she said.
Parents challenged on discipline
Muriuki attributed the involvement of some school-going children in groups such as Panga Boys to poor upbringing, lack of parental guidance and indiscipline.
She warned parents against leaving the responsibility of disciplining their children entirely to teachers and security agencies.
Muriuki said the family remains the first institution responsible for shaping a child’s behaviour.
“Parents must take an active role in raising their children and closely monitor the company they keep,” she said.
The administrator urged parents to ensure their children remain in school and encouraged youth who may not pursue university education to enrol in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
She said vocational training would equip young people with practical skills to secure employment, start businesses and become self-reliant.
Muriuki also urged the youth to shun crime, drug abuse and political incitement, instead calling on them to use their energy in education, entrepreneurship, sports and other productive activities.
She said the national government had created opportunities for young people and called on parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to work together in guiding the youth towards responsible citizenship.
Youth urged to nurture talents
Kwale County Executive for Social Services Francisca Kilonzo urged young people to identify and nurture their talents, saying they could use their abilities to transform their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
Kilonzo challenged the youth to stop underestimating their potential and instead turn their talents into opportunities for growth and economic empowerment.
She said young people should explore opportunities in sports, creative arts, entrepreneurship and other areas where they could earn a living while developing their skills.
Kilonzo urged the youth to remain focused and avoid activities that could derail their future, including crime, drug abuse and negative peer pressure.
She called on parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to support young people by creating an environment where they could discover, develop and showcase their talents.
“Parents and elderly, talk to youth, give them the best advice and help them grow,” she said.
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Kilonzo said investing in youth talent and skills was critical to reducing unemployment and enabling young people to become self-reliant.
By Shaban Omar
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