Pan-African Conference on Family Values Opens in Kenya with Call to “fight for” Family Institution “without apology”

“The family is an institution made by God in the Garden of Eden. It is between a man and a woman. We believe that that which God has condemned, no one can sanitize through law or behaviour,” she said referring to ideologies that she said undermine the family values in Africa, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+).

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The ACPF Chairperson further said, “The word of God is sealed in Heaven. It is not subject to amendments, and so we have no debate on how to make it more palatable to someone.”

“There is no negotiation. Family has to be protected, because it is what raises all of us,” she added.

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Mrs. Mbugua went on to lament the growing crisis facing the African family, citing threats such as addiction, mental health challenges, pornography, gender confusion, domestic violence, abortion, child neglect, and the erosion of parental authority. 

She lamented how abortions have left young girls “shredded emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually in the name of women’s rights.”

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“We are having challenges also with the issue of sexualisation of children, the spreading of permissiveness, the comprehensive sex education, which is, in my view, not value-based; rebellion in the family and the waning parental authority,” Mrs. Mbugua said.

She called for a return to the “creator's manual for the family.”

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Organized under the theme, “Promoting and Protecting Family Values in Africa”, the May 12–17 conference on the family brings together delegates from across Africa and beyond to discuss family-centered legal reform, parental rights, and strategies to uphold family values in the face of international pressures. 

Discussions are also focusing on aligning national laws and treaty obligations with cultural and faith-based principles.

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In his keynote speech, the Principal Secretary (PS) of Kenya’s State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection noted that the family remains the foundation of society and must be safeguarded from threats.

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“Africa is growing. Our population is increasing; technology is advancing; and regional cooperation is improving. Yet families are facing new challenges, from shifting global ideologies and economic hardships to moral confusion,” Mr. Joseph Mogosi Motari said.

Mr. Joseph Mogosi Motari. Credit: ACPF

Mr. Motari added, “These pressures are putting the stability of our families at risk. That's why the government of Kenya strongly believes that the family must be protected. It is the foundation of society and is recognized in our constitution as an institution that deserves support and respect.”

To back this commitment, he referenced a 3 October 2023 approval, saying that the Kenyan government “launched the National Policy of Family Promotion and Protection in the year 2023. This policy outlines how we can support families to thrive.”

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“It focuses on strengthening family bonds, promoting responsible parenting, and creating safe and inclusive environments for all, from children and youth to persons with disabilities and older persons,” Mr. Motari further said.

He went to emphasize the urgency of “striking a balance” between embracing technological advancement and preserving traditional African values, warning that a purely digital path “risks alienating young people from their roots, faith, and moral grounding.”

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“Everything is digital. It doesn't mean I don't support the digitalization. But where are we taking our families? Are we not getting in the wrong trajectory on this?” he posed. 

Mr. Motari said the five-day conference “aligns with our national mission of happy and stable families for a strong society.”

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“Kenya stands firm. Any policies on life, family, and education must reflect our people's values, culture, and constitution,” Kenya’s PS for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs said.

He said the discussions “will shape policies that protect life, marriage, parenting, and respect between generations.”

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Mr. Motari assured delegates at the event of the Kenyan government’s “continued support in advancing family-friendly policies, protecting the vulnerable, and preserving our cultural heritage.”

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The five-day event is to feature a three-day ACPF Family Conference from May 12 to 14, a joint celebration of the International Day of Families (IDOF) with the Government of Kenya on May 15 at Strathmore University, and a Family Symposium with the Church on May 16.