Some women from Kirinyaga have called on various cultural leadership groups to properly guide the community to restore morality.
Their call comes in the wake of schools unrest, a rise in domestic violence cases, a high rate of immorality, political intolerance and other indiscipline cases.
The group, dubbed Umbrella for Change, said upright behaviour and positive social values have been drained away from youths due to ignorance.
They said the custodians of good morals were not doing their job.
Jane Mabungo, the group leader, said young people should not be blamed because no one has guided them.
“Society has failed, from parents, religious leaders, teachers, the council of elders to any other stakeholders,” she said.
“It’s high time that everyone assumed their responsibility in restoring good morals amongst the youths because all is not lost.”
Mabungo said most parents had failed in their roles as they were busy working and building their careers at the expense of their children.
She urged them to spend time with their children especially during the festivities and counsel them on the importance of upholding good morals.
Mabungo spoke on Friday in Gichugu during an event to impart cultural knowledge on good upbringing.
The group will thereafter guide the youths in Kirinyaga.
She said they will guide young women within their communities on how to behave before and after getting married.
Mabungo urged the youths to equally seek out cultural knowledge from their seniors to live harmoniously with each other.
She said domestic-related violence among couples have steadily risen because many do not go for counselling from the council of elders.
“Most are also less bothered with conducting background checks on one another, hence the many divorce cases and domestic-related violence,” Mabungo said.
“We desire that they too find time to go to their elders before getting married to tap the blessings and knowledge on what to do and avoid in marriage.”
Mabungo urged leaders to embrace peaceful campaigns and cease using the youths to cause chaos.
“Everyone should market their agendas peacefully without necessarily using the youths to attack their opponents. Effects of chaotic campaigns are deeply felt by women and children,” she said.
“The government should create awareness on the importance of maintaining peace as we head to the campaign season.”
To counter the sale of illicit brews, she called on parliament to pass a law that seeks to raise the age of alcohol consumers.
She said the African culture barred youths from drinking alcohol unless given by their elders which were on rare occasions.
Mabungo said traditional brews didn’t contain harmful ingredients and were prepared hygienically and with simple indigenous foodstuffs thus should continue being preserved.
Rosemary Wangari, the group’s secretary underscored the importance of preserving African culture by constantly putting it into practice.
She advocated for a healthy lifestyle which is achieved by consuming indigenous nutritious food.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris