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Ruto Preaches Parental Duty as Son’s Glitzy Matatu Launch Draws Fire Online

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President William Ruto has urged parents to take full responsibility for raising their children, warning them not to shift that duty to institutions like the government or the church.

While speaking at the consecration and installation ceremony of AIC Machakos Area Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo, held at the AIC Bomani Masaku Service grounds, Ruto reminded the public that parenting is a sacred task – one that no institution can replace.

“Parenting is a responsibility given to parents by God. When God gives you a child, he knows you can raise them,” the President said.

He attributed the government with providing quality education and health but asserted that parents have the responsibility of guiding, developing, and instilling values in children.

Ruto also encouraged churches and society at large to step forward to play an active role in raising the moral development of the youth.

“We will provide education, we will make sure they have quality health. Parents, make sure you do your part; the church, make sure our children are morally straight,” he implored.

President Ruto also cautioned against the political exploitation of children and youth, making it clear that no one should manipulate or incite the young into violence for personal or political gain.

“The police are trained to deal with criminals, not parenting. If you surrender your children to the police, what do you expect?” he posed, challenging parents to reflect on their role.

He described Kenya’s youth as its finest asset, commending them for their talent, energy, and educational attainment as primary drivers of national development.

“Let us be responsible. Our children are the biggest asset Kenya has,” Ruto said. “There are leaders who want chaos so they can advance their political ambitions. We must not allow them to exploit our youth.”

George Ruto’s Matatu Launch Sparks Backlash

President Ruto’s remarks on parental responsibility come just days after public scrutiny was directed at his son, George Ruto, following the flashy unveiling of his new Ksh14 million matatu, dubbed ‘Mood’.

George hosted a high-profile event on Friday night at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), dubbed ‘Nganya Fest’, to celebrate the debut of his matatu. But it wasn’t just ‘Mood’ that turned heads, Matwana Culture, the group behind Nairobi’s vibrant matatu lifestyle, also unveiled several other extravagantly designed Matatus during the event.

The spectacle drew hundreds, if not thousands, of matatu culture enthusiasts, bringing parts of Nairobi’s CBD to a standstill and worsening traffic in an area already notorious for evening gridlocks.

The disruption caused by the event sparked tension among Nairobians trying to get home, with some reports cautioning residents to stay alert amid concerns about rowdy elements in the crowd. There were also reports that a young man, identified as Mavela, died after being run over by a matatu named Restoration

On social media, many users expressed frustration over the chaos, criticizing George Ruto – and by extension, President Ruto – for the traffic paralysis and security concerns that accompanied the launch. Some critics went a step further, suggesting that George’s flashy entry into the Matwana culture could be a calculated move by the President to win over the youth at a time when his leadership is facing growing resistance.

Check out some Twitter(X) reactions below.

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