Former Chief Justice David Maraga has criticised the government, saying Kenyans are struggling under harsh economic conditions and warning against President William Ruto’s re-election in the 2027 polls.

In a statement on his X account on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Maraga said the country’s economic situation is not benefiting ordinary citizens and called for collective action to rescue the nation by making firm decisions in the next general elections.

Maraga stated that a number of citizens are facing severe financial pressure and accused the current administration of implementing policies that are worsening the situation.

“Kenyans are hurting. The economy is not working for us. It will be a tragedy to allow Ruto to come back. Let’s work together on #Ukombozi wa nchi yetu,” Maraga said.

“Kenyans are repaying and repaying and repaying very, very badly.”

Policies strains public resources

According to Maraga, the country is heading in the wrong direction economically, warning that it would be a mistake to extend the current leadership.

He further criticised a series of government programmes, arguing that they are not benefiting citizens and instead strain public resources.

“It would be a terrible thing, and I have said this before, it would be a tragedy if we allow Ruto to come back. Since Ruto came to power, everything he has come up with, every programme he has come up with, is a program that is meant to lose the resources of the Kenyan people,” Maraga stated.

He singled out flagship initiatives such as housing and health sector reforms, questioning their design and impact on ordinary households.

“He came with the SHA. He has now come with housing. He is coming up with some more projects, mega-projects,” he noted.

Ruto’s defence on economy

President William Ruto has defended his administration’s economic record following what he termed as misleading interpretations of the latest report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), even as new data fuels debate over the country’s slowing growth and deepening structural challenges.

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga on Friday, May 1, 2026, Ruto pushed back against what he described as alarmist headlines that followed the release of the 2026 Economic Survey.

The report showed that Kenya’s economy expanded by 4.6 per cent in 2025, marking a second consecutive year of deceleration from 4.7 per cent in 2024 and 5.7 per cent in 2023.

Despite the slowdown, the president insisted the broader trajectory remains positive. In nominal terms, Kenya’s GDP rose to Ksh17.6 trillion in 2025, up from Ksh16.2 trillion the previous year, with all sectors recording growth.

“Tunaweza kuwa na ripoti nyingi… lakini bei ya mbolea ilikuwa elfu sita sasa ni elfu mbili na mia mbili,” Ruto said, pointing to falling fertiliser prices and increased teacher recruitment as tangible indicators of progress.