Concerns are growing across the country over rising cases of indiscipline among young people, with parents, elders and religious leaders calling for urgent action to restore moral values and strengthen upbringing systems.
Many stakeholders attribute the trend to the gradual erosion of collective parenting, a traditional practice where the entire community took responsibility for guiding and correcting children.
Elders say the shift has weakened social accountability, leaving discipline largely in the hands of individual households.
“When I was young, we were concerned about the behaviour of every child in the community, whether they were ours or not. Nowadays, that is no longer the case,” said Thomas, a resident.
The debate has also reignited discussions on the effectiveness of disciplinary measures in schools, with some parents maintaining that the abolition of corporal punishment removed a tool that helped enforce discipline and respect among learners.
Others, however, contend that the problem extends beyond schools and homes, pointing to the conduct of adults as a major factor influencing the behaviour of young people.
Elders take
Elder Robert Kitui believes that some members of society have failed to set positive examples, making it difficult for children to embrace values such as respect, responsibility and integrity.
“Sometimes we as elders are the ones driving society into moral decay. Young people learn from what they see, and adults must lead by example if they expect respect from the youth,” he said.
Religious leaders have also urged a more holistic approach to the issue, warning against focusing solely on punishment while ignoring deeper social and psychological factors.
Father Jeremiah Manuna noted that many young people struggle with hidden challenges such as trauma, family instability and lack of guidance.
“Many children carry trauma from their past experiences and require guidance, counselling and support rather than condemnation,” he said.
Experts further point to the rapid expansion of technology and social media as a growing influence on youth behaviour, saying unrestricted exposure to online content has increased negative peer pressure and the spread of harmful lifestyles.
Experts and community leaders further cite the rapid growth of technology and social media as emerging challenges, arguing that unrestricted exposure to online content has increased the influence of harmful behaviour and negative peer pressure.
As concerns over youth behaviour continue to grow, stakeholders are calling for a united approach involving parents, schools, religious institutions and community leaders to rebuild moral values and strengthen character
development among young people.
