Kwale: Parents in Kwale County have been urged to teach their children moral values and principles to help shape their future for a better society. Area Governor Fatuma Achani and Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito have urged parents to reexamine their roles, as many have failed or abandoned their parental responsibilities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Achani and Masito lamented the increasing cases of youth involvement in drug abuse, criminal activities, and immorality in the coastal county. The call by the two leaders comes on the backdrop of attacks by machete-wielding gangs on residents and business premises in the Diani municipality.
A notorious gang referred to as ‘Panga boys’ has long been known for terrorizing residents by engaging in a string of criminal activities. The machete-wielding gangs have unleashed terror in various sub-counties within Kwale, with Msambweni and Matuga being among the most affected.
Speaking at an Islamic religious occasion in Msambweni Sub County, the duo blamed the emergence of these gangs on failed parenting. Achani regretted the rise of juvenile criminal gangs in several parts of Kwale and called on parents and guardians to inculcate a culture of good morals, honesty, and hard work in young people.
Governor Achani emphasized the need for parents to take responsibility for their children’s upbringing. She implored parents and religious leaders to take action to address the parenting crisis that has resulted in a breakdown of the social fabric. “As future leaders, the youth need to be taught good morals to lead a purposeful life in adulthood,” she said.
Achani highlighted the deplorable rate at which local youths are engaging in drug and substance abuse, criminal activities, and other social vices. She urged religious leaders and imams to complement parental efforts in instilling good morals in the youth. “We call on our religious scholars to continuously preach peace, love, and unity for a prosperous society,” she said.
Achani also decried the involvement of youth, some as young as 12 years old, in criminal activities and emphasized the need for public support in maintaining law and order. The coastal county boss stated that her administration remains committed to implementing policies that would enhance the quality of life for area residents. She underscored the need for the youth to embrace skills acquisition to reduce their vulnerability to negative influences.
Fatuma Masito expressed concerns over the neglect of family values and called on parents to reexamine their roles. She advised parents to raise their children uprightly to curb the rising moral decadence among the youth in society. Masito also called on families to inculcate proper upbringing in their children to stem the tide of violence in parts of the county. She emphasized that it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children grow to become responsible and respectable citizens.