Maraga smells deceit, dismisses committee overseeing Ruto-Raila deal

Former Chief Justice David Maraga after attending Kahawa Court on July 16, 2025 where 37 youths were charged with acts of terrorism by allegedly burning down Dagoretti Police Station. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has rejected President William Ruto's appointment of a five-member committee to fast-track the implementation of the UDA-ODM 10-point agenda and the National Dialogue Committee report.

In a statement on Friday, August 8, Maraga dismissed the formation of the team as a wasteful and deceitful endeavour meant to serve the interests of the political elite.

Maraga drew comparisons of the new initiative to similar drives in the past, which he says never achieved their purposes due to political interference and entrenched systemic challenges.

"No one is blind to the fact that nothing changes because the same sludge of systemic rot that benefits the few stays in place, the same corrupt players pull the strings, and political power-grab remains the core intention. Elite capture of the economy intensifies with all these pata-potea Committees and Handshakes," stated Maraga.

"The formation of these bureaucratic bodies is a deceit that comes at great expense to the taxpayer. This repeated insult against the intelligence of Kenyans will not go unchallenged," he added.

According to Maraga, any attempt at real change must be genuine and intended to strengthen democratic ideals, including adherence to the rule of law and accountability.

"What Kenyans want is real systemic change. What they are getting is reckless performative governance by a lazy leadership whose investment is purely in elite bargains," he said.

On Wednesday, August 6, President Ruto appointed former nominated Senator Agnes Zani (chairperson), Fatuma Ibrahim, Kevin Kiarie, Gabriel Oguda and Javas Bigambo to the oversight committee.

The team will assess the progress of the implementation of the agreements signed by President Ruto and Raila Odinga when they formalised the broad-based government deal on March 7.

A progress report will be delivered to the two principals every two months, to a joint Kenya Kwanza - ODM parliamentary group every three months, while Kenyans will be updated on the first anniversary of the Ruto-Raila cooperation pact in March 2026.

Inclusivity, strengthening of devolution, youth unemployment, corruption, high debt burden, and government inefficiency are among the issues on the agenda.

Today, President Ruto established the State Intervention and Compensation framework for the victims of state violence during protests since 2017.

President Ruto's advisor on constitutional affairs and human rights, Professor Makau Mutua, will coordinate the compensation exercise.