The national council of elders has called upon President William Ruto to rein against rampant corruption in his government.

The elders, led by their patron Captain (rtd) Kung'u Muigai, said they are behind Gen Z as what they are agitating for is true.

"All that Kenyans want is accountability as we have heard and seen corruption in the country and we have joined the young generation in calling out the government to be accountable," Muigai said on Thursday.

"Corruption has penetrated the government, executive, legislature and judiciary. It is like a cancer that eats the core of our republic. This country loses billions of shillings through theft and corruption." 

They asked how a section of leaders have suddenly become wealthy and flaunt their riches in public.

"We have seen people who have been in power for less than two years having millions of shillings, flying in choppers which they call bicycles, donating millions every weekend not knowing the young people who have no jobs are watching," he said.

This was despite Kenya Kwanza's claims that they found empty coffers when they took office.

"We want to know just how empty the coffers were and what actions have been taken since," the elders said.

They called for a lifestyle audit on all elected and appointed leaders, while urging the government to address the issue of unemployment.

"Those children revolting are jobless and we have heard what they have said and what they have demanded and we know the demands are legitimate," he said.

They called on the youth not to burn the country as their demands have been heard.

The government should act on the demands, the elders added, saying it is a shame that the young generation had to wake those in power from slumber, telling them they are naked.

"As elders we will not keep quiet. And when the young generation call upon us elders to speak up, we will come out. We know there are criminals who have taken over the peaceful protests to loot and destroy property and we ask the youths to be cautious of their actions," they said.