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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has faulted President William Ruto’s call for youths to stop insulting leaders using social media platforms and for parents to instil moral values in their children.

Speaking during a church service at Dandora AIPCA Embakasi North, Nairobi County on Sunday, January 12, 2025, Gachagua pointed out Ruto’s double standard noting that he was the one who started throwing insults at Kenyans. He further stated that the youths are following Ruto’s footsteps.

Gachagua, however, stated that parents have heard his plea for good parenting adding that they will instill good morals in their children and rectify them whenever they go astray.

“Mimi ningetaka niseme kwa heshima kubwa sana, rais wetu, tumekusikia vile umesema ya kwamba watoto wetu wako na tabia mbaya tuwaongeleshe na tuwalee vizuri. Tutafanya hivyo rais. Hawa watoto ni wetu ni sisi ndio tulizaa na kweli kama wako na tabia mbaya tutawalea. Lakini rais hata wewe hii matusi ni wewe ndio ulianza. Si ulisema tuko na mapepo? Sasa hii maneno ya matusi wewe ndio ulianzisha juu ya gari yako,”Gachagua said.

Ruto on social media misuse

The Head of State on January 10, 2025, during his official tour in the North Rift cautioned youth who are misusing social media platforms to amplify abuse on various political leaders.

He went on to express his fear of the misuse of social media by youths stating that it might turn out to be a security threat.

 “I want to ask those who are using social media platforms to criticise the government not to be used by selfish politicians to put images of leaders in graves and coffins. Today, they will place images of leaders in coffins, and tomorrow they put their parents and then they follow it with their friends and eventually they resort to actual killings.

“Those who are encouraging young people to continue this trend where they put people in coffins, I want to ask them, that let us be careful so that we don’t build a generation that is going to self-destruct.”

Ruto on good parenting

On Sunday, December 22, 2024, Ruto urged parents to take deliberate steps to instil moral values in their children as a measure to curb the rising insecurity, criminal cases and social vices witnessed in the country.

Speaking at  AIC Kipkorgot Church in Uasin Gishu county, Ruto stated that the rising cases of criminal activities currently witnessed in the country are due to parents and church leaders not instilling moral values in the young generation.

In addition, he emphasized that addressing such issues needs a collaborative effort from parents and religious leaders adding that the government cannot preach and instill moral values to the children.

“The government of Kenya cannot parent your children. Every parent must do their job, every parent must look after their children. The government of Kenya cannot preach to our children, they cannot teach our children the word of God, they cannot teach our children what is good for them,” Ruto said.