Former Chief Justice David Maraga has described the nationwide protests held on Wednesday, June 25, as the dawn of Kenya’s third liberation, likening the current youth-led movement to the country’s historical struggles for freedom and democracy.
In a powerful statement issued ahead of the protests, Maraga expressed solidarity with Generation Z, who have taken to the streets across the country to oppose what they see as unconstitutional governance and state violence. He equated their activism with the sacrifices made during Kenya’s first liberation from colonial rule and the second liberation that dismantled the single-party regime.
“Just like the fight against British colonialists and the later battle against one-party rule, this generation has paid the ultimate sacrifice with their blood,” Maraga said, acknowledging the lives lost and injuries sustained during the demonstrations.
The former Chief Justice condemned the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, asserting that such brutality by security forces poses a grave threat to national security. He warned that the deployment of goons and alleged State-sponsored militias to silence dissent is a slippery slope toward state failure.
Maraga criticized the deployment of police and military personnel to suppress demonstrators, stating that it is unconstitutional. “The police service exists to protect citizens within our borders. The military defends us from external threats. Any deployment of uniformed forces against peaceful people is unlawful,” he emphasized, adding that such actions demand accountability from the Commander-in-Chief.
The former CJ said Kenyans are growing weary of living under what they describe as a rogue regime, accusing it of trampling on constitutional rights and shedding innocent blood.
He urged protesters to remain peaceful and to safeguard their lives by staying informed and connected to legal and emergency services, including those offered by the Law Society of Kenya.
As thousands of youth continue to demand a better future, Maraga called on all Kenyans to stand firm in defense of the Constitution. “We stay committed to peace and justice,” he said, noting that the world is watching as Kenya enters what may become a historic turning point.
