Parents in Kwale County have been urged to teach their children moral values and principles that would 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.
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 Diani municipality.
A notorious gang referred to as ‘Panga boys’ has long been known for terrorizing residents by visiting 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 have blamed the emergence of machete-wielding gangs on failed parenting.
Achani regretted the emergence of juvenile criminal gangs in several parts of Kwale and called on the parents and guardians to inculcate a culture of good morals, honesty, and hard work in young people.
Governor Achani has emphasized the need for parents to take responsibility for their children’s upbringing.
Achani 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 so as to lead a purposeful life in adulthood,” she said.
Governor Achani says the rate at which local youths were engaging in drug and substance abuse and criminal activities, and other social vices was deplorable.
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 decried the involvement of youth, some as young as 12 years old, in criminal activities and emphasised the need for public support in maintaining law and order.
The coastal county boss said her administration remained committed to implementing policies that would enhance the quality of life for area residents.
Achani underscored the need for the youths to embrace skills acquisition to reduce their vulnerability to negative influences.
She noted that the devolved government has set up vocational training centres across the coastal county in a bid to pull hundreds of youths out of poverty.
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 said it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children grow to become responsible and respectable citizens.
By Hussein Abdullahi
