Former Chief Justice David Maraga has revealed that his government-issued security, withdrawn shortly after he joined Gen Z protesters in Nairobi, has now been partially reinstated. The move follows public scrutiny and debate over the state’s treatment of retired high-ranking officials.
Highlights:
- Maraga’s security was withdrawn on June 27, 2025, days after joining public protests.
- His driver and gate officer have been reinstated; one bodyguard is still missing.
- The Judiciary and public have criticized the security withdrawal as political retaliation.
- Maraga remains vocal on constitutional rights and government accountability.
Main Story:
Kenya’s former Chief Justice David Maraga has disclosed that part of his official security has been restored, days after it was controversially withdrawn. Speaking in a media interview, Maraga confirmed that his driver and the security officer assigned to guard his residence gate are now back on duty. However, one of his bodyguards remains off assignment, reportedly reassigned for training or promotion.
The changes come after his visible presence at protests on June 25, where he was seen among Gen Z demonstrators challenging the Finance Bill and state brutality. Just two days later, on June 27, the National Police Service stripped him of his full security detail.
The withdrawal sparked widespread condemnation, with many seeing it as an act of intimidation against a respected legal figure who has consistently defended civil liberties. Legal experts, the Judiciary, and civil society groups called for the reinstatement of his full security in line with provisions under the Retirement Benefits Act for former Chief Justices.
Maraga wrote formally to Inspector General Japhet Koome and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen seeking explanations and the return of his security team.
This incident mirrors a similar security row earlier in the year involving Chief Justice Martha Koome, whose protection detail was also withdrawn and later reinstated following public uproar. These moves have raised alarms about the politicization of state protection services and the implications for rule of law.
As security returns to Maraga’s home in stages, the bigger question lingers: Is the law enough to protect those who dare to stand up for it?
