Former Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a strong warning to Kenyans over renewed calls to amend the Constitution, claiming the move is a covert attempt to extend President William Ruto’s stay in office.
In a statement released on Monday, December 29, Maraga accused senior figures in the Kenya Kwanza administration of pushing for a referendum under the guise of a “constitutional moment,” while allegedly pursuing a hidden agenda to tamper with presidential term limits.
“The sanctity of our supreme law is once again under siege from the Ruto administration and its loyal operatives. Kenyans must remain alert,” Maraga cautioned.
“Term Extension Is the Real Agenda” — Maraga
The former Chief Justice argued that the primary objective of the proposed constitutional amendments is to alter presidential term limits, describing other proposed reforms as a smokescreen.
“The overriding objective of this regime’s push to amend the Constitution is to extend Ruto’s tenure. Everything else is merely camouflage,” he said.
Maraga, who has publicly expressed interest in the 2027 presidential race, also took aim at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accusing him of undermining constitutionalism by endorsing calls for a referendum.
No Constitutional Crisis, Only Leadership Failure
According to Maraga, Kenya is not facing a constitutional breakdown but rather a failure of leadership to implement existing laws and uphold integrity in public office.
“There is no constitutional crisis. What we have is an implementation crisis and a severe integrity deficit,” he stated.
He added that meaningful reform does not require rewriting the Constitution but respecting and enforcing it.
“The real constitutional moment will come when we decide to obey the Constitution as it stands,” Maraga said.
He cited persistent violations, including failure to implement the two-thirds gender rule, underfunding of the Judiciary, and repeated disregard for the Bill of Rights.
Launch of the Ukatiba Movement
Maraga also announced the formation of the Ukatiba Movement, a civic initiative aimed at defending the 2010 Constitution from what he described as deliberate attempts to weaken it.
“I have taken up the responsibility of leading the Ukatiba Movement. It stands on one clear and uncompromising principle: absolute loyalty to the Constitution,” he said.
He noted that the movement seeks to protect citizens from an expanding and unlawful bureaucracy while ensuring that power remains firmly in the hands of the people.
Mudavadi Defends Constitutional Review
Maraga’s remarks come days after Musalia Mudavadi reiterated the need for a constitutional review, 15 years after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
In a statement issued on Friday, December 26, Mudavadi warned that Kenya could face a legal crisis ahead of the 2027 General Election, citing failure to review electoral boundaries within the constitutionally required timeframe.
The deadline for the review, he noted, expired on March 6, 2024, raising concerns over the credibility of future elections.
Debate Intensifies Ahead of 2027 Polls
The renewed debate over constitutional amendments is expected to intensify political tensions as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election, with critics warning that any attempt to alter term limits could trigger legal and political instability.
Maraga maintains that Kenyans are not calling for constitutional changes, but for the existing Constitution to be fully implemented.
“Kenyans are asking for the Constitution to work — not to be rewritten for the convenience of those in power,” he said.
