Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called for the dissolution of President William Ruto’s administration, citing its failure to uphold constitutionalism and protect human life.
The demand comes in response to a government pathologist’s autopsy report confirming that Albert Omondi Ojwang was brutally beaten, strangled, tortured, and killed while in police custody.
Maraga described Ojwang’s death as “the last straw” in a series of alleged state-sponsored atrocities.
Missing Voices’ 2024 report documented 159 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Kenya, with 104 police killings and 55 enforced disappearances, highlighting brutal policing.
“These incidents happened during the term of this government, specifically in 2024,” Maraga said, accusing the Ruto administration of fostering a breakdown in the rule of law.
He urged Kenya to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to enact laws criminalizing such acts.
Maraga’s call for a “shutdown” of the government, accompanied by the hashtags #ThePeopleShall and #ResetRebuildRestore, demands a reset to restore accountability and rebuild national institutions.
“We now demand the regime shuts down, makes way for a reset to the rule of law and accountability; a restoration to the values respecting human life; and a rebuilding of our nation’s institutions that now point towards state failure,” he stated on X.
The remarks follow growing public discontent with Ruto’s administration, which has faced criticism over rising taxes, cost-of-living challenges, and allegations of human rights abuses.
Last month, Ruto faced public outrage after a shoe was thrown at him during a rally in Migori County, an incident reflecting frustration with economic policies and unfulfilled promises.
Additionally, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported 82 abductions and enforced disappearances since June 2024, with 29 individuals still missing, many of whom were vocal government critics.
Maraga also criticized Ruto’s earlier claim that all abduction victims had been accounted for, calling it “unconscionable” and “deeply hurtful” to families seeking justice.
He cited the case of Brian Odhiambo, a Nakuru resident abducted in January 2025 by Kenya Wildlife Service officers, whose mother continues to search for answers.
In December 2024, the president promised to address abductions following international pressure, though he denied state involvement.
Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have alleged that security officers in civilian clothing are responsible for targeting protesters and activists.