Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang has called on parents and leaders to firmly defend African cultural values as Parliament continues deliberations on the regulation of TikTok in Kenya.
Speaking during a session in Parliament on February17, the Ruaraka MP emphasized that parents must boldly assert their authority at home, even if children perceive them as overly conservative, arguing that obedience is a cornerstone of African customary practice and biblical teaching.
“Children Must Obey Their Parents” – Kajwang
Kajwang maintained that respect for parents is both a cultural and moral obligation.
“We as a people, and adults in us and parents in us, must speak about this clearly, even at the expense of children saying that we are too conservative,” he stated.
The lawmaker argued that obedience to parents has historically shaped disciplined societies and should not be abandoned in the digital age.
According to him, today’s parents must speak with clarity and authority to guide their children amid growing online influences.
Concern Over Erosion of Respect and Leadership
Kajwang expressed concern that young people increasingly view it as acceptable, even virtuous, to insult leaders, expose private family matters online, and trivialize immoral or profane content for entertainment.
He warned that social media platforms, particularly TikTok, risk accelerating moral decline if not properly regulated.
“In fact, it is a virtue to speak negatively to a leader. It is a virtue to abuse your parents,” he lamented, noting that such behavior undermines both family structure and national leadership.
The MP stressed the importance of preserving African identity in the face of globalization and rapid technological change.
“African customary practice must be maintained, because I’m an African, and I’m proud of it,” Kajwang said. “We have to teach our childrenthey are not going to become Europeans, they are not going to be Chinese, they will still be Africans.”
Kajwang’s remarks form part of a broader parliamentary debate on the regulation of TikTok and other social media platforms, with lawmakers weighing child protection, cultural preservation, and freedom of expression.
About the Author
