Maraga: We are in serious political and economic crisis
By Arnold Ngure, July 15, 2025Retired Chief Justice David Maraga has decried the sorry state of the nation, saying the country is in a serious political and economic crisis.
Speaking during a live TV interview on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Maraga lamented the death toll from demonstrations in the country, which has disproportionately targeted the youthful population.
“In Kenya today, we are in a serious political and economic crisis. One that we have not seen in this country before,” Maraga said.
Increasing death of youths
“Having close to 200 young people dying in less than two years is shocking. In the last two months, we have lost more than 60, and the numbers are increasing,” he lamented.
Maraga equally questioned the directive given by President William Ruto to police officers to maim rowdy protesters earlier in July. The former Chief Justice observes that neither the President nor the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Interior has the power to issue such directives to the police.
“When you hear the president ordering the shooting of unarmed young people, I do not know how the people feel, but I get shocked. Neither the Cabinet Secretary nor the president has the powers to order the shooting of people,” Maraga noted.
Weaponising justice system
“They are supposed to be protecting them, and if there are any offenses committed, then they are supposed to be taken to court. Are we being told that the police are helpless and can’t arrest those young people?” he posed.
“The president is weaponizing the justice system to deal with these young people. They are being called terrorists, yet these young people are not terrorists,” he stated.
This comes after Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that at least 42 people died in the last two protests in the country, noting that a majority of the people injured were police officers.
“In this chaos, 42 Kenyans regrettably lost their lives, and close to 600 were injured. Out of these injuries, 496 were law enforcement officers. This is unacceptable. One life lost is one too many. We mourn every life lost and extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the affected families,” Murkomen said during his address on July 15, 2025.