Maraga urges legal community to champion national reset
By Faith Lagat, August 3, 2025Retired Chief Justice David Maraga has urged the legal fraternity to spearhead a national reset, calling for urgent reforms anchored in constitutionalism and the rule of law.
“We agreed on the urgency to find a pathway for a better Kenya, anchored on constitutionalism and the rule of law. We stressed that we are at a critical juncture in Kenya’s history and that it is a NOW or NEVER opportunity to RESET, RESTORE, and REBUILD Kenya,” read a post on his X dated August 3, 2025.
Speaking during a high-level tea hosted by the LSK Mount Kenya Branch–Meru Bar Association on Saturday, August 2, 2025, Maraga emphasised that Kenya is at a tipping point.
The meeting brought together legal professionals from the Mount Kenya region to reflect on the country’s governance and justice systems.
Govt criticised
Maraga’s remarks followed sharp criticism of government-run empowerment initiatives, which he dismissed as unsustainable and deceptive.
Addressing residents at a town hall in Kirinyaga County a day earlier, he questioned the rationale behind handing out Ksh1,000 to citizens.
“Hii mambo mnaambiwa ati empowerment ni ya nini? Mnataka kuletewa shilingi elfu moja? Hiyo ukipewa itachukua siku ngapi?” He posed, urging Kenyans to challenge the narrative behind these programs.
Referencing persistent economic inequality flagged in a 2023 World Bank report, Maraga argued that such interventions do little to resolve deeper systemic issues. His concerns echo frustrations voiced during recent youth-led protests against rising taxes and the cost of living.
Call for accountability
Maraga warned that citizens should scrutinise the sources of funds used in empowerment schemes, alleging that many originate from corrupt practices.
“You should first ask yourself where the money has come from before you receive it,” he cautioned. “These are proceeds of corruption that have been stolen from you and repackaged as empowerment by those who have stolen from you.”
Instead, he advocated for a governance model that allows citizens to flourish through their own initiative. “All I know is that Kenyans just require the government to do its part and let the citizens thrive in their own ways,” he added.
Political speculation
Maraga’s assertive tone has sparked speculation about a possible bid for the presidency in 2027, particularly among Gen Z voters drawn to his outsider status. While he has not declared his political intentions or aligned with a party, his anti-corruption stance and commitment to constitutional order have positioned him as a potential reform candidate.
However, challenges remain. In his Gusii home turf, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i is also rumored to be eyeing a presidential run. As political realignments take shape, Maraga’s next steps—and his ability to connect elite discourse with grassroots realities—will likely determine his national appeal.