The Government through the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services is banking on positive parenting training, to build stable families across the country.
Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Children Services, Carren Ageng’o, said that these trainings are geared towards curbing family breakdowns, noting that families remain to be the foundation of society.
She said families are the primary source of care, protection, identity, and socialization for children, noting that strong parenting contributes directly to improved child wellbeing, reduced violence and stronger family bonds.
Speaking at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Mbeere in Embu County, during this year’s International Day of Families Celebrations, PS Ageng’o said the program is ongoing and so far close to 92, 000 parents have been trained.
“It is our commitment to ensure that every child is brought-up in a loving and supporting family environment,” she said.
She attributed the growing trend of schools’ unrests marked by strikes, walkouts and property destruction to poor parenting.
Ageng’o noted that the values of responsibility, discipline, integrity, respect and love begin at home, noting that if they are not instilled early during formative years, it creates a moral vacuum.
The PS said it is that lack of a strong ethical foundation that gives rise to juvenile delinquency that currently is being seen through such acts as schools’ unrest.
Currently, 17 schools in Embu have gone on strike in a span of four weeks with the PS saying that over 70 percent of cases of unrest being reported to them are attributable to parental neglect.
“That is why we are focusing on positive parenting, where every child will have an equal chance to survive, thrive and reach their full potential,” she said.
The PS at the same time called on families that are lonely or do not have a child and can foster one, to apply and be trained for foster care.
She said this was part of the broader national strategy of phasing out institutional care by placing every child into a family environment by 2032.
ACK Diocese of Mbeere Head, Bishop Moses Masamba, underscored the importance of the church in families, by providing moral foundation and spiritual guidance for raising children.
By Samuel Waititu
