Kikuyu elders have expressed deep concern over the rising cases of illicit alcohol consumption and drug abuse across Central Kenya, warning that the trend is tearing apart families and putting the future of young people at risk.
Speaking under the umbrellas of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, Kiama Kiama, and Ndundu ya Athamaki, the leaders said the surge in illicit brews over the past year has fueled broken homes, increased cases of street children, and widespread moral decay.
The elders made the remarks at Club Heritage Hotel in Naivasha during the close of a three-day consultative forum, held just days after the government launched a 100-day Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) to curb the menace.
Ng’ang’a Nene, the Council’s National Secretary, described the situation as dire, particularly in agriculturally rich areas where jobless youths have increasingly turned to drugs and alcohol.
“We are deeply concerned about the rise in addiction, especially among young people in Central Kenya. The issue is contributing significantly to the collapse of marriages and the erosion of traditional family structures,” said Nene.
He added that the elders were ready to partner with both county and national governments to find lasting solutions and help restore order in society.
The Naivasha meeting also addressed a leadership transition within the Kikuyu cultural structure, which elders said has been stalled for over 80 years. They argued that the absence of cultural mentorship has left many young people disconnected from their traditions.
“Our youth are in darkness when it comes to our traditions and values. We are coming together as elders to provide leadership and preserve our cultural identity,” Nene noted.
Kigochi wa Waimeri, the Community Director of Culture, stressed that the council is non-political, with its main focus being the restoration of cultural values and the fight against social ills.
Dr. Nyamu Njoka, another senior elder, condemned what he described as “foreign and ungodly practices,” including drug abuse and same-sex marriages, saying such influences undermine the community’s moral fabric.
“We have unanimously agreed to safeguard our cultural heritage against practices that threaten to dismantle our society. Unity among elders is key in guiding the next generation,” said Dr. Njoka.
