Maraga gives Ruto seven-day ultimatum to publish police reforms report

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President William Ruto to publish the comprehensive report on National Police Service reforms. Maraga, who led the taskforce, warned that if Ruto does not comply, the report will be released by him. The report, submitted to Ruto on November 16, 2023, was prepared with public funds.

Maraga invoked the Constitution's right to access information (Article 35) to demand the immediate publication of the "complete and unedited" document. He accused the administration of not implementing the report's recommendations, which aimed to restore the National Police Service's independence and tackle police brutality and impunity.

Maraga cited several constitutional provisions, arguing that the police service must function independently in carrying out its duties. He alleged that Kenya has experienced "organized political violence, goonism and partisan policing" in several regions, attributing this to "State Capture of the National Police Service." Maraga emphasized the need to avoid repeating past mistakes, stating that the country has traversed this path before with great consequences.

His ultimatum intensifies pressure on the President to make the report public, as it has remained unpublished for nearly three years. Should Ruto fail to release the document within the given timeframe, Maraga threatened to publish it himself.