The Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Emeritus Justice David Kenani Maraga, has shed light on the status of 2024, a day to the ushering of the new year, 2025. In his statement, he reiterated the need for a constitutional approach, accountability, and respect for human rights.
David Maraga, whose tenure became sound and profound during the leadership of the former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, is remembered as the first Chief Justice in the history of Kenya to have overturned the presidential election result. He, however, faced criticism from the executive and political class.
In his new year message to Kenyans, dated December 30th, 2024, he began with a message of condemnation, describing it as a difficult year for families, marred with killing, maiming, and abduction of young Kenyans, which poses a series of risks to the constitution.
“This year has not been easy for many families. The killing, maiming, and abduction of young Kenyans has put to serious test our constitutions. It demands a moral response. If we are truly a people sworn to the sanctity of life and the dignity of every citizen, then we must stand bild in truth of our Constitution,” a statement by the former CJ David Maraga.
“I condemn the killing, torture, and abductions and call for the immediate release of the youth still held unlawfully. Our politics must never be this heartless and uncaring,” he added, condemning the killing and ogoning abduction of those critical of the government.
CJ Maraga also weighed on the importance of constitutional fidelity, which is the embodiment of a just society and the transformation of the nation. He added that the Gen Z-led demonstrations that shook the country six months ago were a constitutional pathway and a collective desire to build a just society.
“Fidelity to the Constitution is fundamental. It keeps us all grounded to our responsibility to build a just society. When Kenyans voted overhwlmengily for a new constitution in August 2010, they laid down a fundamentally new vision for transforming the country and nation.”
“This is the vision that was at the heart of the June-July national protests dubbed “Gen Z.” It was the desire of Kenyans from all walks of life to take charge of our collective destiny. It was a desire to address the culture of impunity and confront the outright callousness and unresponsive attitudes to genuine issues of public concern.”
He said the year 2024 was “sparked by erosion of dignity and economic mismanagement,” which reiterated the need for urgent action to rescue the declining sectors such as health and education. He also called for the need to reset the economy, prioritize job creation for the youth, and “restructuring the tax regime in order to guarantee fairness and sustainability of the tax burden.”
New Year message to fellow Kenyans. pic.twitter.com/gNh2LsIBPD
— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) December 30, 2024
The former Chief Justice called for reflection on the values of government, ethics, and standards in approaching the new year. He declared 2025 a year of accountability, a constitutional approach, and determination to the rule of law.
“Let us determine that 2025 is the year that these values become an inseparable part of us. It must also be the year of accountability for those who caused so much pain to Kenyans in 2024. This must be the year that we stand firmly for constitutionalism, the rule of law, and justice. Let us always remember our collective destiny and safeguard it.”
The New Year message to Kenyas by David Maraga, the much celebrated Chief Justice in Kenya who stood for justice and presented unwavering support for the rule of law, comes in the wake of the new political realities: a divided nation facing unjustifiable taxation and mismanagement of public resources.
It is also the moment of political realignments, which have brought together the former political oppositions to be united against the growing criticism from the young people. Raila Odinga and the former President, Uhuru Kenyatta, deemed enemies to President Ruto, are now friends and have brought their members to the government in the name of reuniting Kenyans.
However, the Gen Zs appear unfazed, undeterred, and the call for dignity, accountability, and respect for the rule of law and justice, renting social media platforms, which has turned to be the frontline of criticism, continues to grow towards the new year despite the recent spate of abductions.
With many those critical of the regime facing life-threatening actions, a section of Kenyans have maintained their stance, hoping for the end of the current political boomers and calling for new futuristics and determined leaders.
