NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has hit back at former Chief Justice David Maraga over his recent remarks warning that Kenya is sliding into a failed state, dismissing the criticism as disingenuous and politically motivated.
Speaking during a bell-ringing ceremony at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, Ruto took direct aim at Maraga, who recently declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2027.
“I listened to one gentleman who retired the other day after working for 50 years and now wants to be president,” Ruto said. “I hear him say Kenya is a failed state. I ask myself: has he been working in a failed state for 40 years?”
“You want us to trust you with the leadership of a country you don’t believe in, and to a people you don’t believe in,” he added, in a pointed dismissal of Maraga’s credibility and leadership ambitions.
To the sloganeers saying ‘Ruto must go,’ ‘Kasongo,’ ‘Wantam,’ or whatever today’s chant happens to be, the President isn’t losing sleep& just like his predecessors, his time will come. That’s a given.So now let’s talk substance & here’s the real challenge:Beyond
Maraga, who served as Chief Justice between 2016 and 2021, made the contentious remarks during an interview with K24 on July 21.
“There is a political and economic crisis in the country that needs to be addressed squarely,” Maraga warned, also criticizing the government’s crackdown on recent anti-government protests and what he described as shrinking democratic space.
In response, President Ruto defended his administration’s record and urged critics to move beyond what he termed “empty sloganeering.”
“If you have a better plan for the economy, jobs, health, or education, then say it. We cannot replace a plan you don’t like with nothing,” Ruto said. “Sloganeering is not enough.”
Addressing ongoing protests and calls for his resignation, Ruto acknowledged that all leaders eventually exit office, but challenged protestors to articulate concrete alternatives.
“I heard another group of Kenyans saying ‘Ruto must go.’ And for sure, just like those who came before me, my time will come and I will go,” he said. “But respectfully, what are your reasons? I’m sure it’s not because of how my name is spelt.”
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