As the world marked Mother’s Day on May 10,2026; Kisii County, child healthcare expert July Nyanchama praised mothers as the first educators of children, saying they introduce language, communication, and basic life skills through daily interaction long before formal schooling begins.
Speaking yesterday during the event in Kisii, Nyanchama reiterated that this early learning forms the foundation for children’s curiosity, discipline, and academic success.
She further noted that mothers play a central role in shaping character by instilling values such as honesty, respect, empathy, and hard work through guidance and daily routines. The moral lessons taught at home, she said, become lifelong principles that children carry into society.
She called upon the communities to use the occasion to reflect on the need to care for expectant mothers and protect them from suffering and preventable deaths in labour wards, urging the society to respect all women, including those who lose their children, noting that motherhood should be honored in all its forms. She said no woman should face stigma because of pregnancy complications or child loss.
Nyanchama also highlighted the critical role mothers play in health and nutrition, particularly during pregnancy and early childhood. She said mothers make key decisions regarding diet, hygiene, immunization, and medical care, which greatly influence the survival and wellbeing of children.
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Equally important, she added, is the emotional security mothers provide through love, comfort, and stability, helping children build confidence, resilience, and self-worth.
She described mothers as protectors and advocates who defend children from harm, fight stigma related to illness or disability, and speak up for them in schools and hospitals. Mothers, she said, are also custodians of culture and identity, passing down traditions, faith, language, and community values.
Many mothers, Nyanchama observed, also shoulder economic responsibilities by balancing farming, small businesses, or formal employment with household duties to provide food, shelter, clothing, and education for their families.
Her sentiments were echoed by Nyamira-based human rights activist Gladys Nyasuguta, who urged communities to protect women and young mothers from gender-based violence, saying peaceful homes are essential for community and national stability.
Nyasuguta called on men, elders, and local leaders to champion the protection and dignity of mothers, arguing that families thrive when women live free from abuse and fear.
Nyanchama also condoled with Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka following the death of his mother, Teresiah Omoke. She described the late Omoke as a courageous and resilient woman who raised her children in a Christian and education-centered environment, enabling them to become prominent leaders in Kenya and abroad.
“Mama Teresiah’s life was a testament to the lasting impact of a mother’s sacrifice and values,” Nyanchama said.
“Respecting mothers is not only for one day. It is about how we treat them in our homes, hospitals, and policies every day,” she added.
By Enock Okong’o
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