- President William Ruto has urged parents to revive traditional African parenting values to address rising cases of school unrest.
- He said communities must take collective responsibility for nurturing children’s character and discipline.
- The President made the remarks during the 60th anniversary celebrations of Burieruri Boys Senior School in Meru County.
President William Ruto has urged parents to embrace the values of traditional African parenting as part of efforts to curb the rising cases of school unrest witnessed in several institutions across the country.
The President said the traditional African parenting model allowed children’s character to be shaped collectively by the community rather than through the individualistic approach increasingly associated with modern parenting.
“Let us recover the wisdom of African parenting, where no child belonged to one household alone, but to the whole community; where every elder was a guardian and every child a shared responsibility,” he said.
The President made the remarks during the 60th anniversary celebrations of Burieruri Boys Senior School in Maua, Igembe Central Constituency, Meru County.
“That wisdom has never ceased to matter. Indeed, we need it now more than ever. Let us stand around our children so that none of them walks life’s hardest journeys alone,” he added.
While commending Burieruri Boys Senior School for its strong discipline record, President Ruto reminded learners across the country of the importance of building character that will stand the test of time.
“A nation may build magnificent schools, but if it neglects character, it builds its future on sand. Knowledge may sharpen the mind, but only discipline governs its use. Talent without discipline is wasted. Freedom without discipline descends into disorder,” he said.
The President also appealed to parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives by understanding their challenges and supporting them throughout their educational journey.
Boost for education infrastructure
Among those present were Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa, Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia, Methodist Church Presiding Bishop in Kenya John Maromba, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assembly and other leaders.
President Ruto announced that he and his friends would finance the construction of 30 modern classrooms at Burieruri Boys Senior School at a cost of KSh40 million and another 20 classrooms at neighbouring Ncunguru Primary School at a cost of KSh20 million.
He further announced that the Ministry of Education would construct a multipurpose hall at Burieruri Boys Senior School at a cost of KSh70 million as part of plans to elevate the institution to national school status.
The President said the Government treats all schools equally regardless of their history, status or the prominence of their alumni.
“That is why I will keep visiting schools across our country because no institution is too small to matter, and no child is too far away to deserve the full attention of their President and their Government,” he said.
Deputy President Kindiki commended the President for prioritising education by increasing budgetary allocations to the sector from KSh526 billion in 2022 to KSh784 billion in the next financial year.
Development projects for Meru
President Ruto assured residents that Meru County remains a key beneficiary of the Government’s development agenda.
He said KSh20 billion had been allocated to Affordable Housing projects in the county, including 2,000 housing units for teachers, 17 modern markets and 6,000 hostels for students in universities, technical colleges and Kenya Medical Training Colleges.
He further announced that KSh8 billion had been allocated for road construction in Meru County during the 2026/2027 financial year.
The President said compensation had been completed for landowners affected by the construction of the KSh7 billion Nithi Bridge and announced that construction would commence soon.
He also revealed that 23,000 households would be connected to electricity at a cost of KSh2.3 billion.
On healthcare, President Ruto said KSh1 billion had been allocated for the completion of Meru Level 6 Hospital, adding that the Government would fully equip the facility once construction is complete.
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The President directed the Meru County Commissioner to liaise with the contractor handling the Maua Stadium project to ensure construction begins without further delay.
By John Majau
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