Nairobi: As schools close for the long December holidays, parents in Nandi County have been urged to ensure their children remain engaged in meaningful and productive activities that promote discipline, creativity, and moral values. Speaking at St. Stephen Sochoi ACK Parish, Rev. Peter Lelmengit called on parents to take keen interest in their children’s welfare during the two-month break, noting that the period provides a unique opportunity for families to bond and instil positive habits.
According to Kenya News Agency, Rev. Lelmengit emphasized that learners who are not meaningfully engaged easily fall into bad company, drug abuse, and develop questionable morals. He encouraged parents to train their children in the right way so that even when they grow up, they will not depart from it. The cleric revealed that the church will roll out a series of holiday programmes across local parishes to keep learners busy and focused. These will include youth mentorship sessions, sports tournaments, and other initiatives aimed at nurturing leadership, teamwork, and spiritual growth among the youth.
He further encouraged parents to involve their children in simple, family-based projects such as small-scale farming, home enterprises, and creative skills training to cultivate responsibility and industriousness. At the same event, Dr. Abigael Chepkoech Tanui, a health specialist at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and chairperson of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Committee, engaged the congregation on the need to openly address GBV, a subject she noted is rarely discussed in the Kalenjin community.
Dr. Tanui expressed concern over rising cases of rape and sexual assault, particularly during school holidays, and urged victims to seek immediate help from health facilities. ‘Timely medical attention helps prevent HIV infection, manages trauma, and reduces the risk of teenage pregnancies,’ she said, adding that all services for GBV survivors are offered free of charge. She explained that the hospital also provides legal aid to survivors, working closely with law enforcement agencies and human rights organisations to ensure justice is served.
Dr. Tanui cautioned communities against resolving GBV cases through traditional methods, saying such approaches often silence victims and deny them justice. ‘We urge families and church leaders to speak out, report cases, and seek professional help,’ she emphasised. As the holiday season begins, both Rev. Lelmengit and Dr. Tanui encouraged parents and guardians to be present in their children’s lives, guiding them to grow into responsible citizens who uphold moral integrity, respect, and human dignity.