President William Ruto has warned Kenyans against tribal incitement and called for a national dialogue on values and generational responsibility, linking recent protests to moral decay within families.

Speaking during the 9th Annual Kaptagat Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Friday, Ruto condemned what he described as a rising culture of indiscipline driven by tribal politics and parental silence.

“We must all have a societal conversation as to where we are and what we are doing about the next generation of Kenyans,” said Ruto.

Accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, Ruto also commissioned the expanded Etio Dam in Kapteren, Keiyo North Constituency.

He warned that political incitement along tribal lines fuels national disunity and lawlessness.

“If people are inciting the youth, inciting tribalism, inciting hatred, inciting division, it brings us trouble,” noted Ruto.

He added that division breeds hatred, which leads to lawlessness and disregard for the law.

Ruto linked recent protests and destruction of property to a breakdown in household values, arguing that parental silence has contributed to the erosion of societal norms.

“When people fail to respect the law, they protest, destroy property, burn businesses and ruin the reputation of our country. Lives are lost. These are the things we must put an end to,” explained Ruto.

He criticised the fear among some parents to correct their children, saying this has undermined discipline.

“Other parents are afraid of their children. They cannot tell their children what is wrong and what is right,” observed Ruto.

Ruto called for a collective reawakening, urging families, communities and leaders to reflect on the values passed to the next generation.

“We, as parents, must speak to our children,” added Ruto.