Former Chief Justice David Maraga has come out strongly to dismiss a viral quote falsely attributed to him, which appeared to support President William Ruto’s controversial remarks about not handing over power to the opposition.

“I somehow agree with what president has said of not handing over the country to disorganized people like Gachagua and the likes. That’s why I will be in the ballot. For Gen Z, let’s embrace dialogue and shun violence, Police have played their part by forwarding their killer cop suspect for trial. – David Maraga, 19th June 2025,” the quote reads.

Maraga, who served as Kenya’s Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021, dismissed the quote as fabricated and misleading.

“Let’s fight misinformation as we continue focusing on #June25thNationalHoliday,” he stated.

Ruto speech sparks misinformation

The fake quote appears to reference remarks made by President Ruto on Sunday, June 15, 2025, during a church service at Friends’ Comprehensive School in Kivaywa, Kakamega County. In a fiery speech, Ruto criticised the opposition:

“Hawa watu wengine, hawana mpango,” he said. “And we cannot hand over to people hawana mpango, ati mpango yao ni ‘Ruto must go, Ruto must go.’ Itakusaidia na nini? Hujui vile vijana wetu watapata kazi, hujui vile kilimo itaendelea, hujui vile watoto watasoma. You have no plan to do anything.”

The President went further, accusing the opposition of fuelling division and negativity.

“Ata ukiwaangalia wakiongea, wanaongea na kisirani mingi sana. Sijui nani aliwakosea,” he added.

Maraga’s name was dragged into the conversation days later, with the now-discredited quote suggesting that he agreed with Ruto and was considering a presidential bid.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga, a towering figure in Kenya’s judiciary, has officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, aiming to unseat President William Ruto. Known for his historic 2017 decision to nullify a presidential election, Maraga is now positioning himself as a moral and reformist candidate, driven by a vision to restore constitutionalism and combat corruption.

Maraga announced his bid on June 18, 2025, during a televised interview, citing a “collapse of the rule of law, widespread police killings, and entrenched impunity” as his motivations.