Open Letter to His Excellency President William Ruto

Your Excellency,

I write this letter in deep concern and urgency on behalf of many Kenyans, especially our youth, Gen Z, civil society actors, and everyday citizens who believe the signing of eight new laws has triggered a legitimacy crisis and is stoking the grounds for widespread unrest.

On October 15, 2025, your administration quietly assented to eight bills: amendments to the National Land Commission Act, the Land Act, Wildlife Conservation, Computer Misuse & Cybercrimes, the National Police Service Commission, privatisation legislation, the Air Passenger Service Charge Bill, and the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill.

While the stated intentions of these laws may be to modernize institutions and accelerate reforms, the timing, speed, and lack of public consultation have amplified public suspicion. Many Kenyans perceive this move as a power grab, especially given that these laws were signed during the national mourning for the late Raila Odinga, amplifying fears of avoiding public scrutiny.

We are witnessing signs of a movement mobilizing across social media platforms, particularly X, TikTok, and Instagram. Young people, those who have long felt marginalized in decision-making are now organizing, educating, and demanding accountability. The Gen Z protests of 2024 showed that when basic rights and economic stability are threatened, digital activism morphs quickly into street action.

If these dynamics are ignored, we risk spiraling into a crisis not unlike what has unfolded in other nations: mass protests, forceful crackdowns, and the collapse of fragile authority structures. Reports warn that African governments are increasingly vulnerable to youth-led revolts when the social contract breaks down.

We therefore respectfully call on Your Excellency to:

1. Suspend the implementation of all eight newly assented laws immediately, pending full public debate and transparent legislative review, before the funeral proceedings of the late Hon. Raila Odinga.
2. Open a national dialogue including representatives from youth, civil society, legal experts, community leaders, and opposition groups.
3. Commit to full disclosure: publicize the full text, impact assessments, and versions debated in Parliament of each bill; allow genuine input before any law affecting land rights, digital freedoms, policing, and privatization takes effect.
4. Ensure protections and public safety, so that citizens may gather and protest peacefully, without intimidation, surveillance, or forceful suppression.
5. Pause any enforcement actions under the new laws until Kenyans have been meaningfully heard and consent is given.

This is not a rejection of progress or reform. Rather, it is a plea to proceed in good faith, with legitimacy and social license. The voice of the people must not be bypassed. In moments of grief, we do not surrender our democracy or our rights.

Kenyans are not asking to break state; they ask that the state remain worthy of their trust.

We hope Your Excellency will heed this call, to ensure stability, calm, and the preservation of our constitutional order.

With respect and urgency,

Michael Njenga
Kenya ni home KE