Africa-Press – Kenya. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that rising social ills in the country are closely linked to the growing trend of parents relinquishing their responsibility to raise and guide their children.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) Women League Annual Convention in Kitengela, Murkomen said many families have increasingly outsourced parenting to teachers, pastors, nannies and digital platforms, leaving children without the moral grounding needed to navigate modern society.
Murkomen called on parents to reclaim their central role in shaping character, emphasising the need to cultivate a culture of prayer, family values and consistent guidance at home.
He argued that strong family traditions and faith provide children with the foundation to live with honesty, discipline and diligence.
“We are losing the current generation because of absence of family mentorship. Don’t just take the word of God for yourself, the most important thing as mothers, borrow from those of the previous generations, we are here because the way our parents brought us with love and values. Let us engrain in our children the importance of family values, let our homes be known for specific values,” he said.
The CS noted that the shift in behavior among youths has contributed to ethical decline, misconduct and crime.
“As mothers, you must build your family traditions, ways and faith. When the children grow up, they should know of the boundaries they cannot do and what they are supposed to do. The challenges we have as a country is drugs, pornography and goons among others. We are raising a generation that is very defiant because, they are being brought up by internet and phone, they get access to information from around the world, not like us when we used to grow up.”
The CS added that cultivating a culture of prayer and teaching social mores in families provides children with the foundation to live with honesty, discipline and diligence.
“The role of parenting is increasingly being left to teachers, pastors, nannies and the internet. Some of the prevailing social ills and crimes in our society today are attributable to a lack of parental attention and guidance during childhood,” he said.
“Family faith and tradition act as the moral compass and anchor as one navigates life’s challenges and demands.”
The CS urged churches, community leaders and families to work together to strengthen the moral fabric of society, stressing that no institution can replace a present and responsible parent.
He thanked the RCEA Women League for its role in nurturing families and moral values, saying the church remained a critical partner in rebuilding community ethics and empowering households across the country.
