Poor parenting has been cited as one of the reasons behind the rising cases of criminal activities in Nakuru East and Nakuru West Sub counties.

Ronald Mboya, a nyumba kumi cluster member from Rhonda sub-location reveals that a number of parents have contributed to the insecurity cases being reported in Nakuru West Sub county.

According to him, some parents seem to have neglected their responsibilities leaving young people vulnerable hence majority find solace in the criminal gangs.

"Parents are failing in their role and that is where the gap is. The whole issue starts at family level," says Mboya.

Psychologist Lucy Wambui who has been focusing on young people's mental health issues, tells Mtaa Wangu that young people in various families lack mentorship.

She adds that with divorces cases, separation and single parenting on the rise, young people find themselves in a confused state with no proper guidance.

Wambui says it is time for the fabric that holds families together to be relooked at and mended.

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"When young people come from families that are not strong in terms of morals then they end up being demoralized due to lack of mentorship. This is the reason behind many young people looking for mentors in the wrong places, including criminal gangs," says Wambui.

On his part, Nakuru West Sub County Police Commander Edwin Otieno Ogwari admits that families where one comes from have a great impact on an individual's way of life.

"We have challenges where some fathers have neglected their roles leaving mothers to raise boys. That is where the boys lack mentorship and some end up in crime. Parents should help us in terms of shaping the behaviours of their sons.

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The officer is appealing to society and the church to step in and help some of these young people through counselling that will in turn help address drug addiction and criminal activities.

pmambili@gmail.com

Poor parenting blamed for increased criminal activities in Nakuru

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Pristone Mambili