President Ruto Now Blames Parents Over Gen Z Protest Crisis

By Juliet Jerotich 

President William Ruto has added parents to the widening list of groups he holds responsible for the continued Gen Z-led protests that have unsettled the country since 2024. The demonstrations, largely driven by frustrations over economic challenges, youth unemployment, and governance concerns, have evolved into a national reckoning — but the President’s response has focused more on assigning blame than addressing core issues.

Speaking at a church service at AIC Bomani in Machakos County on Sunday, Ruto pointed to what he described as parental negligence as a factor fueling unrest. He argued that parents must take a more active role in guiding their children rather than leaving it to state institutions.

“As a parent, I personally take time to raise and mentor my children — every parent must do the same,” Ruto said. “Law enforcement officers are trained to handle criminals, not to do the work of parenting.”

He cautioned families against allowing or encouraging children to participate in violent protests, implying that some youth had been manipulated into joining destructive actions. “Let us not misuse our children by inciting them to vandalize property or engage in violence,” he added. “A child who is not disciplined at home ends up being corrected by the community.”

This latest statement fits into a broader pattern where the President has repeatedly shifted the blame for the unrest. In previous weeks, he has pointed fingers at opposition politicians, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and even foreign donors.

On July 12, while speaking in Elgeyo Marakwet, Ruto questioned the role of religious and political leaders in mobilizing youth for protests. “If leaders from the pulpit and Parliament are all encouraging demonstrations, what message are we sending?” he asked.

Just five days later, on July 17, he accused opposition figures of exploiting the frustrations of young people for political gain. “They don’t offer solutions. They thrive on incitement, division, and destruction,” he claimed.

In July 2024, Ruto openly accused the Ford Foundation of financing unrest, but later walked back the claim during a diplomatic trip to the U.S. in September, instead praising the organization’s work in governance and democracy.

As the protests persist, political observers say the administration’s reactive blame-shifting overlooks the root causes — including poor economic prospects, disillusionment with leadership, and widespread youth frustration.