President William Ruto interacts with a student of Burieruri Boys Senior School in Igembe Central, Meru County on June 28, 2026 / PCS
President William Ruto has called for a return to traditional African parenting, saying communities must take collective responsibility for raising children to help address the rising cases of unrest in schools across the country.
Speaking during the 60th anniversary celebrations of Burieruri Boys Senior School in Igembe Central, Meru County, on Sunday, the President said society had drifted away from the communal approach that once shaped children's character and discipline.
He argued that in traditional African society, every adult played a role in guiding children, unlike today's increasingly individualistic parenting.
"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," Ruto said.
"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."
The President's remarks come against the backdrop of recent incidents of unrest in schools, which have reignited debate on discipline, parenting and the role of communities in raising children.
While commending Burieruri Boys Senior School for maintaining high standards of discipline, Ruto said academic excellence alone was not enough without strong moral values.
"A nation may build magnificent schools, but if it neglects character, it builds its future on sand. Knowledge may sharpen the mind, but only discipline governs its use. Talent without discipline is wasted. Freedom without discipline descends into disorder," he said.
He urged parents to take a more active role in their children's lives by understanding their challenges and supporting them throughout their education.
Beyond education, the President announced a series of development projects for the school and Meru County.
He pledged that he and his friends would fund the construction of 30 modern classrooms at Burieruri Boys Senior School at a cost of Sh40 million, while 20 classrooms will also be built at the neighbouring Ncunguru Primary School for Sh20 million.
In addition, the Ministry of Education will construct a multipurpose hall at Burieruri Boys at a cost of Sh70 million as part of plans to elevate the institution to national school status.
Ruto said the government was committed to supporting all schools equally, regardless of their history, prominence or the achievements of their alumni.
"That is why I will keep visiting schools across our country because 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.
The President also defended his frequent development tours, dismissing criticism that he spends too much time travelling across the country.
"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.
On development in Meru County, Ruto said the government had allocated Sh20 billion for affordable housing projects, including 2,000 housing units for teachers, 17 modern markets and 6,000 student hostels in universities, technical institutions and Kenya Medical Training Colleges.
He added that Sh8 billion had been set aside for road construction in the 2026/27 financial year, while compensation for land acquired for the construction of the Sh7 billion Nithi Bridge had been completed, paving the way for construction to begin.
The President announced that 23,000 households in Meru would be connected to electricity through a Sh2.3 billion programme and that Sh1 billion had been allocated for the completion of Meru Level 6 Hospital, with the national government committing to equip the facility once construction is complete.
He also directed the Meru County commissioner to work with the contractor to ensure construction of Maua Stadium begins without further delay.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who accompanied the President, lauded the government's investment in education, saying funding for the sector had increased from Sh526 billion in 2022 to Sh784 billion in the 2026/27 financial year.
Meru Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia thanked the President for implementing development projects in the county and pledged the region's support for his administration.
After the celebrations, President Ruto addressed a public rally in Maua, where he updated residents on the government's development agenda for the region.
