President William Ruto has called for a return to traditional African parenting values, saying communities must collectively raise children to address the growing cases of school unrest.
Speaking during the 60th anniversary celebrations of Burieruri Boys Senior School in Igembe Central Constituency, Meru County, on Sunday, President Ruto said the erosion of communal responsibility in raising children has contributed to declining discipline among learners.
He urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and society at large to work together in nurturing responsible and disciplined citizens.
“Let us recover the wisdom of African parenting, where no child belonged to one household alone, but to the whole community where every elder was a guardian and every child a shared responsibility,” President Ruto said.
He noted that the African tradition of collective parenting remains relevant today, emphasizing that every child deserves guidance, support and mentorship from the wider community.
“That wisdom has never ceased to matter. Indeed, we need it now more than ever. Let us stand around our children so that none of them walks life’s hardest journeys alone,” he added.
The Head of State commended Burieruri Boys Senior School for maintaining exemplary discipline and reminded learners that academic excellence must be accompanied by good character.
“A nation may build magnificent schools, but if it neglects character, it builds its future on sand and Knowledge may sharpen the mind, but only discipline governs its use. Talent without discipline is wasted, and freedom without discipline descends into disorder,” he added.
Ruto also challenged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s education by understanding their struggles and supporting them throughout their academic journey.
During the celebrations, President Ruto announced a series of major development projects aimed at improving education infrastructure in the region.
He pledged that together with his friends, they would construct 30 modern classrooms at Burieruri Boys Senior School at a cost of KSh40 million and another 20 classrooms at the neighbouring Ncunguru Primary School valued at KSh20 million.
At the same time he promised to build a modern multipurpose hall worth KSh70 million at Burieruri Boys, a move he said will strengthen the school’s bid to attain national school status.
President Ruto reiterated that the Government remains committed to supporting all schools equally regardless of their history, size or prominence.
“No institution is too small to matter and no child is too far away to deserve the full attention of their President and their Government,” he said.
On development, the President assured residents that Meru County remains a key beneficiary of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s national development agenda.
He revealed that KSh20 billion has been allocated for Affordable Housing projects in the county, including 2,000 housing units for teachers, construction of 17 modern markets and 6,000 student hostels in universities, technical institutions and Kenya Medical Training Colleges.
The President further announced that KSh8 billion has been set aside for road construction across Meru County in the 2026/2027 financial year.
He said compensation for land owners affected by the construction of the KSh7 billion Nithi Bridge has been completed, paving the way for construction works to commence.
On energy sector, President Ruto said 23,000 households in Meru County are being connected to electricity through a KSh2.3 billion programme.
He also disclosed that the Government has allocated KSh1 billion for the completion of Meru Level 6 Hospital and pledged that it would be fully equipped upon completion to improve healthcare services.
Additionally, President Ruto directed the Meru County Commissioner to work closely with the contractor to ensure construction of Maua Stadium begins without further delay.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki praised the President’s commitment to education, noting that Government funding for the sector has increased from KSh526 billion in 2022 to KSh784 billion in the upcoming financial year.
Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia thanked President Ruto for implementing key development projects in the county, saying the residents had witnessed tangible progress under the current administration.
The President also dismissed criticism over his frequent tours across the country, saying engaging citizens directly remains part of his constitutional duty.
“I am not a king, but a President elected by the people of Kenya. I must therefore serve them by visiting and hearing from them,” he said.
Later, President Ruto addressed a public rally in Maua, where he updated residents on ongoing and planned Government development programmes in the region.
Edited by John Majau
