Kiambu/Nairobi, Kenya – In a rare and potent public statement, the Kikuyu Council of Elders has issued a direct and urgent appeal to President William Ruto, calling on him to heed the voices of Kenya’s youth and to immediately halt the violent police crackdowns that have overshadowed recent nationwide protests.

Speaking at a press briefing from their headquarters in Kiambu, the elders condemned the “animalistic abductions” and the excessive use of force witnessed during the June 25 demonstrations—actions that have left several young Kenyans dead and many others traumatized.

Council Chairman Wachira Kiago reaffirmed that the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution, and warned that state-sanctioned violence poses a grave threat to national unity and democracy. “These protests are not acts of rebellion,” he said, “but desperate calls for justice and reform.”

In a pointed message to the Head of State, Secretary-General James Nene declared, “Criticism is the reward for leadership—accept it honorably.” He cautioned that continued repression would only harden the resolve of the country’s highly educated and politically awakened youth, deepening societal divisions and weakening the government’s legitimacy.

The elders expressed sorrow over the loss of young lives and lamented the government’s failure to engage with the protesters’ legitimate concerns. They urged the President to initiate genuine, structured dialogue with youth leaders and civic voices, calling such engagement essential for restoring public trust and national cohesion.

As traditional custodians of moral and cultural authority, the Kikuyu Council of Elders’ intervention marks a significant shift in tone, signaling growing discontent not only from Kenya’s youth but also from its most respected institutions.