Maraga Blasts Parliament—“If It Did Its Job, Ruto Wouldn’t Be in Office”

Former Chief Justice and presidential hopeful David Maraga has struck a blistering critique at Kenya’s Legislature, accusing Parliament of abdicating its constitutional duty and enabling President William Ruto to remain in power.

Speaking on Tuesday on Citizen TV, Maraga issued a stinging indictment: “If Parliament were doing its job, the President would not be in office today.” Citing multiple alleged violations of the Constitution by Ruto, he insisted impeachment proceedings should already be underway.

Parliament Under Maraga’s Fire

Maraga accused lawmakers of operating under Ruto’s influence, effectively neutralizing their oversight responsibilities. He emphasized that beyond resignation, impeachment is the only lawful recourse to remove a sitting president mid-term.

Under Article 145 of the Constitution, impeachment for gross misconduct or constitutional breaches requires a one-third majority in the National Assembly and a two-thirds majority in the Senate—a process Maraga says Parliament should have initiated already.

Maraga Transitions From Judiciary to Political Frontline

Once the country’s top judicial officer, Maraga is now in the political spotlight. He has been vocal in recent weeks, urging citizens—especially youth leading protests under the #RutoMustGo banner—to hold the President accountable.

While he did not disclose a formal timing for initiating an impeachment motion, he laid the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the Legislature and ordered Kenyans to act .

Why This Sparks National Alarm

• Checks and balances at risk: Maraga’s rebuke suggests Kenyan Parliament has effectively disabled constitutional mechanisms to discipline the executive.
• Rising political temperature: With nationwide youth protests over governance failures and economic hardship showing no sign of abating, this escalates tensions .
• Potential precedent: A successful impeachment could set a historic precedent, but would require rare political unity across party lines.

What to Watch

1. Parliamentary response: Will legislators push for official proceedings, or continue to delay?
2. Legal mobilization: Could civil society and reform-minded MPs initiate impeachment?
3. Public pressure: Momentum from protests and youth-led campaigns may force the issue.

David Maraga’s scathing declaration threatens to reshape Kenya’s political landscape. As Parliament faces increased scrutiny, all eyes are on whether it will act—or concede defeat in its constitutional mandate.