Former CJ Maraga Blasts Ruto’s Gov’t For Peddling ‘Heartless, Uncaring’ Politics
Former Chief Justice David Maraga decried the abduction of government critics on Monday, citing an uptick in such occurrences in recent weeks.
In his New Year speech to Kenyans, the country’s fourteenth Chief Justice stated that the “killing, maiming, and abduction of young Kenyans” this year, along with people’s opposition to punishing government actions, “has put to serious test our institutions.”
“It demands a moral response. If we are truly a people sworn to the sanctity of life and the dignity of every citizen, then we must stand bold in the truth of our Constitution,” Maraga said.
He added: “I condemn the killing, torture and abductions and call for the immediate release of the youth still held unlawfully. Our politics must never again be this heartless and uncaring.”
New Year message to fellow Kenyans. pic.twitter.com/gNh2LsIBPD
— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) December 30, 2024
Maraga urged adherence to the rule of law, claiming that the anti-government protests against severe tax regimes in June and July highlighted the “new vision for transforming the country and nation” brought forth by the 2010 Constitution.
“It was a desire to address the culture of impunity and confront the outright callousness and unresponsive attitudes to genuine issues of public concern,” the former CJ said.
He also stated that the demonstrations were motivated by “the degradation of basic dignity and economic mismanagement.”
Maraga praised Kenyans for “actively [taking] charge and [holding] our public institutions to account and [leading] the way in demanding accountability as enshrined in the Constitution, even as they faced the brute force of a regime’s push-back.”
“Let us determine that 2025 is the year that these values become an inseparable part of us. It must also be the year of accountability for those who caused so much pain to Kenyans in 2024,” Maraga said.
“This must be the year that we stand firmly for constitutionalism, the rule of law and justice.”
This year has not been easy for many families. The killing, maiming and abduction of young Kenyans has put to serious test our institutions. I condemn the killing, torture and the abductions and call for the immediate release of the youth still held unlawfully. #EndAbductionsKE
— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) December 30, 2024
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) announced last week that it has recorded 13 abduction incidents in the last three months alone.
The report brings the total number of abductions to 82 since June. According to reports, twenty-nine people have gone missing since.
ALSO READ:
- Golf Legend Tiger Woods Arrested After A Florida Crash
- Gov’t Deploys KDF To Mukogodo Forest To Curb Banditry
- Murkomen Goes After Eldoret City Goons, Orders MASSIVE Crackdown
- IEBC Announces 30-Day Voter Registration Drive Beginning March 30
- Ruto Announces New Passport Processing Time
KNCHR recorded seven enforced disappearances in December, despite the fact that state security institutions such as the police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) denied involvement in the abductions.
According to the KNCHR, at than 60 people were killed during the June-July rallies, and the police force has cleared itself of guilt despite criticism of its personnel for using excessive force and opening fire on unarmed protestors.
While some of the kids who took part in the demonstrations were missing for several days before being located, others were found dead.
Activists Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti Njeru, and Bernard Kavuli, who circulated cartoons and A.I.-generated images of President Ruto on social media, have been reported missing as part of the recent spate of abductions.
Former CJ Maraga Blasts Ruto’s Gov’t For Peddling ‘Heartless, Uncaring’ Politics
