NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a scathing critique of Kenya Kwanza’s governance in 2024, urging a renewed commitment to constitutionalism and justice as the nation ushers in 2025.
In a bold New Year message, Maraga called for accountability for what he termed “the pain inflicted on Kenyans” over the past year.
He condemned human rights abuses, including the killing, torture, and abduction of young people, and demanded the immediate release of those unlawfully detained.
“This must be the year we stand firmly for constitutionalism, the rule of law, and justice,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of protecting Kenya’s collective destiny.
Maraga’s address painted a grim picture of the past year, decrying what he described as a heartless and uncaring political climate.
He urged leaders to return to the vision of the 2010 Constitution, which he said was designed to end impunity and foster a just society.
“When Kenyans voted overwhelmingly for a new constitution in 2010, they envisioned a transformative framework for addressing impunity and unresponsiveness to public concerns. That vision must guide us in confronting the challenges ahead,” he said.
Maraga linked the erosion of dignity and economic mismanagement to the widespread protests of 2024, dubbed “Gen Z,” which highlighted frustrations over declining living standards, inadequate healthcare, and a struggling education system.
The former Chief Justice called for urgent reforms to address the decline in essential sectors and to revitalize the economy.
“We must reset the economy to create decent jobs for our youth and restructure our tax regime to ensure fairness and sustainability. This is not an impossible task—Kenya has done it before and can do it again,” he said.
Maraga also praised the resilience of Kenyans in 2024, highlighting their active role in holding public institutions accountable despite facing significant challenges.
“Kenyans have shown remarkable strength, standing up for their rights even in the face of the regime’s pushback. This resilience is a beacon of hope for the nation,” he noted.
Maraga reminded public officials of their duty to prevent the abuse of power, urging them to uphold the Constitution and serve the people with integrity.
“The responsibility of ensuring that the instruments of power are not misused lies squarely with those in office,” he said, reinforcing his call for leaders to prioritize justice and fairness.
In a bold New Year message, Maraga called for accountability for what he termed “the pain inflicted on Kenyans” over the past year.
He condemned human rights abuses, including the killing, torture, and abduction of young people, and demanded the immediate release of those unlawfully detained.
“This must be the year we stand firmly for constitutionalism, the rule of law, and justice,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of protecting Kenya’s collective destiny.
Maraga’s address painted a grim picture of the past year, decrying what he described as a heartless and uncaring political climate.
He urged leaders to return to the vision of the 2010 Constitution, which he said was designed to end impunity and foster a just society.
“When Kenyans voted overwhelmingly for a new constitution in 2010, they envisioned a transformative framework for addressing impunity and unresponsiveness to public concerns. That vision must guide us in confronting the challenges ahead,” he said.
Maraga linked the erosion of dignity and economic mismanagement to the widespread protests of 2024, dubbed “Gen Z,” which highlighted frustrations over declining living standards, inadequate healthcare, and a struggling education system.
The former Chief Justice called for urgent reforms to address the decline in essential sectors and to revitalize the economy.
“We must reset the economy to create decent jobs for our youth and restructure our tax regime to ensure fairness and sustainability. This is not an impossible task—Kenya has done it before and can do it again,” he said.
Maraga also praised the resilience of Kenyans in 2024, highlighting their active role in holding public institutions accountable despite facing significant challenges.
“Kenyans have shown remarkable strength, standing up for their rights even in the face of the regime’s pushback. This resilience is a beacon of hope for the nation,” he noted.
Maraga reminded public officials of their duty to prevent the abuse of power, urging them to uphold the Constitution and serve the people with integrity.
“The responsibility of ensuring that the instruments of power are not misused lies squarely with those in office,” he said, reinforcing his call for leaders to prioritize justice and fairness.
