Willis Otieno slams Ruto over parenting remarks
Outspoken lawyer and political analyst Willis Otieno has called out President William Ruto over his recent remarks on parenting.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Otieno condemned Ruto’s call for parents to parent their children, arguing that such rhetoric rings hollow in the face of state violence, including police killings and repression of youth protests
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According to him, Ruto’s message is hypocritical.
“This is from a man whose government meets unarmed children with bullets, not books. Ruto wants parents to “parent” yet when they do, his police kill their children for protesting the very hunger and injustice those parents are trying to shield them from,” he said.
“You can’t lecture Kenyans about parenting when your own regime is raising a generation in mourning, fear, and funeral bills.”
Ruto on parenting
This comes after Ruto emphasised the crucial role of parents in guiding their children’s moral and social development, asserting that law enforcement agencies are not equipped to assume parental responsibilities.
Speaking during the consecration ceremony of Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo at the African Inland Church (AIC) Bomani in Machakos County on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Ruto urged parents and the church to mentor the youth, adding that raising the next generation of Kenya is a societal responsibility.
In addition, the head of state highlighted the importance of parental involvement in nurturing the youth.
“Parents, let us parent our children. Let us mentor them. Let us look after our children. Let us speak to our children. The church, let us work together because raising the next generation of Kenya is a societal responsibility,” Ruto said.
“The police are trained to deal with criminals, they are not trained in parenting, so if you surrender your children to the police, what do you expect? Every parent, including me, I take time to parent my children, so must everybody. Let us be responsible.”
He stressed that parenting is a God-given duty, and parents should not abandon their roles to institutions like the church or government
“Our children are the biggest asset we have; their talent and ability are important in building this nation to move forward, and it is our collective responsibility to make sure we mentor them, guide them, and provide the right education so that they can channel their energy, expertise, and knowledge into growing our nation,” he added.
“Our children are a gift from God. We must mentor them. Parenting is a God-given responsibility. Do not surrender your responsibility of parenting to the church or the government. Mungu akikupatia mtoto, anajua uko na uwezo wa kumlea huyo mtoto. Usimwache mtoto wako alelewe barabarani na watu wengine.”
Ruto’s statement comes amid rising concerns over youth involvement in protests and online activism.
