Former Chief Justice David Maraga has launched a fierce rebuke of President William Ruto’s leadership, accusing him of evading responsibility over the brutal murder of Albert Ojwang and fostering a culture of impunity within Kenya’s security services.

In a strongly worded press statement issued on Monday, June 16, 2025, on his X official account, Maraga described President Ruto’s recent remarks on Ojwang’s death as “callous and calculated to avoid taking responsibility for kidnappings and killings that have happened under his watch.”

“President William Ruto’s statement released on Albert Ojwang’s murder was callous and calculated to avoid taking responsibility for kidnappings and killings that have happened under his watch, yet the buck stops with him,” Maraga said.

“The backs of Kenyans are broken, but they are rising. Their right to peaceful assembly, to demonstrate, and to petition authority is legally supported by Article 37 of our Constitution.”

Maraga’s statement comes just a day after the President, addressing supporters in Lugari, offered what he called a vague and dismissive comment on the murder of Ojwang’, whose body was found in a Nairobi mortuary days after he was allegedly abducted by police officers.

 “It is now evident that the Director of Criminal Investigations, the Inspector General of the National Police Service, and the Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat among other leaders, blatantly lied under oath on the brutal murder of Mr. Albert Omondi Ojwang’,” Maraga said.

He accused top security officials of issuing contradictory statements in an attempt to cover up the killing.

“The patently contradictory statements issued over the past few days were meant to cover up the gruesome murder in the hands of those charged with maintaining law and order,” he added.

Maraga outlined a three-point action plan under his “Operation 3L” (Third Liberation) initiative, which includes a call for immediate arrests, institutional accountability, and support for mass civic action.

The first plan of action, according to the former Judiciary boss, is to call for the arrest of Deputy Inspector General of police Eliud Lagat.

“There is prima facie evidence that Eliud Lagat — directly or indirectly, by himself or through his accomplices — is implicated in the illegal arrest, torture, strangulation, and eventual murder of the late Albert Ojwang. Yet, Lagat still remains in office,” Maraga stated.

 “It is now time to immediately arrest and institute prosecutions against Mr. Lagat. Integrity demands that we must end impunity as guided by law and our moral standing.”

Maraga further demanded the immediate prosecution of the Director of Criminal Investigations and the Inspector General of Police, accusing them of abuse of office and perjury.

“They have lied under oath. Consequently, they have lost the trust of the Kenyan people. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

Ruto’s silence disregards lives?

He voiced his support for Kenyans who have already petitioned the courts for private prosecutions over Ojwang’s killing.

 “If no prosecution is commenced against the IG, DIG Lagat, and DCI by June 25, 2025, I will be formally joining efforts that seek to hold them accountable through private prosecutions,” he warned.

 Maraga’s third call to action is calling on Kenyans to continue exercising their constitutional rights to protest and demand justice.

“My team and I support constitutional actions by Kenyans who are exercising their freedom of assembly and expression in seeking accountability for Albert Ojwang’ and all other extra-judicial executions,” he said.

“This era of impunity shall only come to an end when the people reclaim their power under the Constitution that carries their hopes, dreams and guarantees their human dignity.”

He confirmed he would personally participate in upcoming public demonstrations, including one scheduled for June 25.

“I urge Kenyans to persist in their efforts until the resignation or removal from office and the arrest and charge of the Inspector General, the Deputy Inspector General the Director of Directorate of Criminal Investigations and their accomplices for their role in any criminal conduct concerning the murder of Albert Ojwang’.”

In one of the most damning parts of his statement, Maraga accused President Ruto of systemic inaction and indifference.

“In spite of the deep crisis we are in, President Ruto and the security sector leadership have failed to take any action to bring to book all those security officers involved in the abduction, torture and killings of so many young Kenyans since Ruto took office and particularly in 2024 and 2025,” he said.

“Again, this shows the level of callousness and disregard Ruto and his leadership have for the life and suffering of Kenyans.”

On the extra-judicial killings and enhanced forced disappearances, the buck stops with the President. pic.twitter.com/vtx6fT5kle

— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) June 16, 2025