Former Chief Justice David Maraga has come out guns blazing against President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of betraying the principles of the 2010 Constitution and undermining Kenya’s hard-won freedoms. Speaking during a press briefing at Nairobi’s Panafric Hotel, Maraga said the recent signing into law of eight controversial Bills signals a dangerous slide towards authoritarianism and a mockery of democratic ideals.
Highlights:
- Maraga says the new laws show “disregard for the Constitution and the will of the people.”
- He claims amendments to the Cybercrimes Act will silence dissent and stifle free expression.
- The former CJ accuses the government of planning to “rob Kenyans” through the Privatization Act.
- He warns the Ruto regime is borrowing excessively, risking the nation’s sovereignty.
- Legal action to challenge the new laws is already underway.
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A Dangerous Turn for Democracy
Maraga described the government’s recent legal changes as a direct assault on the 2010 Constitution, accusing both the Executive and the Legislature of betraying the people. He said the signing of the controversial Bills was not only unconstitutional but also politically insensitive, coming “at the exact time the nation was mourning the death of Raila Odinga.”
“This is a mockery of the ideals Raila fought for,” Maraga said. “The Constitution we swore to protect is being eroded before our eyes.”
The former CJ pointed to amendments in the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act as especially dangerous. He warned that the new clauses empower a government committee to shut down websites and social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok without judicial oversight.
“This committee becomes both investigator and judge,” he said. “That is a direct attack on freedom of expression and media independence.”
Selling the Country Piece by Piece
Maraga also took aim at the new Privatization Act, saying it gives the President and Treasury Cabinet Secretary unchecked authority to dispose of national assets. He argued that the law removes key transparency measures that protected Kenyans from corruption.
“The Act exempts the disclosure of buyers’ names and valuations. If they sell to themselves or their proxies, we’ll never know,” he warned. “This government is out to rob Kenyans.”
The former CJ further accused the Ruto administration of reckless borrowing, saying Kenya is sinking deeper into debt at the rate of “over five billion shillings every week.” He said such practices betray the youth who have already lost their lives “defending this country from injustice.”
Legal Fight Ahead
Maraga revealed that petitions have already been filed to challenge the controversial laws in court. He accused the government of rushing implementation to stay ahead of legal intervention, warning that “they know people are going to court, so they want to move faster than justice.”
A Call to Action
In an impassioned close, Maraga urged Kenyans to defend their sovereignty and stand up for their constitutional rights. “Prosperity will not come from selling our assets,” he said. “It will come from empowering our people. Sovereignty belongs to us not Parliament, not the Executive, not foreign investors.”
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