Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged parents to take greater responsibility in raising their children, arguing that declining parental involvement is contributing to rising cases of indiscipline in schools.
Speaking at AIC Plainsview South B Church on Sunday, Murkomen said many parents have delegated their role to technology and schools, only to blame other institutions when problems arise.
“Parents should ask themselves whether they are doing to their children what was done to them. Part of the problem we are experiencing today is the failure of current parents to create time for their children. They have left children to be raised by phones and TVs,” he said.
He argued that some of the behavioural challenges witnessed in learning institutions reflect wider social and family issues rather than failures within the education system alone.
“If you look at what children are doing more in schools, it reflects the failure of parents to take responsibility. Parents are not ready to face their wrongs, and the easiest target to blame is teachers, the Interior Ministry, the education sector and the government,” he added.
The Cabinet Secretary maintained that discipline begins at home and cautioned against expecting schools or government agencies to assume parental responsibilities.
“The government cannot discipline your students; that is your responsibility. Parents still assume that current teachers are the same as old teachers. These are Gen Z teachers; you have left your children to Gen Z teachers to raise fellow Gen Zs, yet you do not want your children to be punished,” he said.
“Teachers have now turned to simply teaching and going home. The solution lies in responsible parenting and the church,” he added.
Away from education matters, Murkomen assured Kenyans that the country’s security situation had improved, while outlining plans to strengthen policing in the capital.
“Our country is safe now and we have made great progress. We are changing the security architecture of Nairobi, and this July we will commence establishing the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit to deal with unique challenges emerging in the city,” he announced.
He identified criminal gangs as one of the remaining security threats facing the country, alleging that some had been formed or supported by politicians before evolving into independent criminal networks.
“The only remaining challenge in the country is gangs and goons either formed by politicians or by themselves for selfish gains. Some were started by politicians, and because they could not sustain them, they have now become rogue,” he said.
Murkomen also addressed the disruption of a post-budget dialogue forum at All Saints Cathedral on Friday, describing the incident as regrettable and confirming that investigations had led to arrests.
“There was an unfortunate incident that happened at All Saints Cathedral. That was unfortunate. They were captured on CCTV, and the DCI have arrested a number of them, and we will take them to court,” he said.
“The solution to gangs is the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit, as we have already managed those goons in other towns,”he concluded.
The remarks come at a time when concerns over school unrest and urban insecurity continue to dominate public debate.
