Ex-CJ Maraga gives Ruto 7 days to release police reforms report, threatens to publish it himself
Reforms, warning that he will make the document public himself if the President fails to comply. The president is yet to release a report whose recommendations were handed to him nearly three years ago and Maraga’s threats comes at a time the National Police Service (NPS) headed by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has come under national limelight over involvement in criminal activities including contract killings, abuse of human rights and other police excesses, violation of the National Police Standing Orders among other police misconducts and professional misdeeds.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a seven days ultimatum to President William Ruto to release and publish the full, unedited report of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms, warning that he will make the document public himself if the President fails to comply.
The president is yet to release a report whose recommendations were handed to him nearly three years ago and Maraga’s threats comes at a time the National Police Service (NPS) headed by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has come under national limelight over involvement in criminal activities including contract killings, abuse of human rights and other police excesses, violation of the National Police Standing Orders among other police misconducts and professional misdeeds.
In an open letter to Ruto, Maraga demanded the immediate release of the report, which was submitted to the President on November 16, 2023, saying Kenyans have a constitutional right to access it because it was prepared using public resources.
“I demand that you immediately release and publish the complete and unedited Taskforce Report within Seven (7) days, failing which I will myself release it,” Maraga said.
The former Chief Justice said the demand was particularly urgent amid what he described as increasing cases of organised political violence, goonism and partisan policing in different parts of the country.
He cited incidents in Homa Bay, Keumbu and Ol Kalou, as well as violence reported in churches in Kisumu, Nairobi and Witima, arguing that the developments raised serious questions about the independence and conduct of the National Police Service.
“Contrary to these express provisions, we have witnessed organised political violence, goonism and partisan policing in Homa Bay, Keumbu, Ol Kalou as well as acts of violence in churches in Kisumu, Nairobi and Witima, among others, under your watch, direction and for your political benefit,” Maraga said.
He warned that the country risked repeating a dark chapter in its history if political interference in security institutions was allowed to persist.
“This is a road the country has travelled before at terrible cost. It must not travel it again,” he said.
Maraga, who chaired the National Taskforce on Police Reforms, said the team produced a comprehensive report containing recommendations intended to strengthen the police service and address systemic challenges.
Among the recommendations, he said, was a call for the Executive to take appropriate measures to restore the independence of the National Police Service and end what the taskforce identified as systemic police brutality and impunity.
“For nearly three years, you have failed to implement the said recommendations and restore the Independence of the Service,” Maraga said.
He anchored his demand on Article 35 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens access to information held by the State, arguing that the report cannot remain hidden from the public after being produced at taxpayers’ expense.
Maraga also invoked Articles 232, 239, 244 and 245 of the Constitution, together with Sections 8 and 8A of the National Police Service Act, which provide the legal framework for an independent National Police Service.
“A reading of Articles 232, 239, 244, 245 and Sections 8 and 8A of the National Police Service Act makes it quite clear that the National Police Service is and should be an independent national security organ that should not be directed by any person on the discharge of its mandate,” he said.
The former Chief Justice accused the administration of failing to act on the taskforce’s recommendations and linked the alleged interference with the police service to what he termed the “State Capture of the National Police Service.”
He said the continued withholding of the report was unacceptable, particularly against the backdrop of recent incidents that have raised concerns over policing, political violence and public safety.
If Ruto does not publish the document within the stipulated period, Maraga has made it clear that he will release the report himself, potentially exposing the taskforce’s full findings and recommendations to the public.
