Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has called for stronger parental discipline, linking what he describes as early childhood upbringing to broader social behaviour challenges, in remarks referencing an incident at Utumishi Academy in which 16 girls died.
In a statement on his X account, Khalwale said the tragedy underscores deeper societal failures in raising children and instilling discipline from an early age.
He argued that behavioural patterns in adulthood are shaped over time and not formed suddenly.
“Bad adults are not an accident. They are a project. A project that started at age 5 when a child talked back to an adult, and the parent laughed and said, "Huyu mtoto ni tough kama mimi,” he said.
Khalwale added that lack of correction during childhood often leads to long-term consequences in adulthood, including difficulties in relationships, workplaces and social interactions.
“Nobody wakes up at 30 and suddenly becomes rude, entitled, dishonest, and impossible to deal with. That software was installed early. By parents who were allergic to the word 'no",” he said.
He further criticised what he described as permissive parenting, arguing that discipline is often misunderstood. “Because that is what happened. You let your child talk back to elders and call it confidence. You let them break rules and call it creativity. You let them disrespect boundaries and call it independence,” he said.
Khalwale also warned that failure to correct children early places a burden on society later in life, noting that institutions such as schools, churches and online platforms do not replace parental responsibility.
“Schools do not raise children. The internet does not raise children. TikTok does not raise children. Church does not raise children. Parents do,” he said.
He added that society often becomes the final corrective system when early discipline is absent.
“And if you refuse to correct your child, society will do it for you. Society has no patience. No mercy. No second chances,” he said.
Khalwale emphasised that discipline does not equate to violence, but to teaching accountability and respect.
“Not beating. Discipline. Teaching a child that actions have consequences. That "no" is a complete sentence. That apologising is not weakness. That respecting people is not optional,” he said.
He urged parents to prioritise character formation, warning that failure to do so creates long-term social problems.
