Release It or I Will - Maraga Tells Ruto Over Police Report

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Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga has given President William Ruto seven days to release the report presented to him by the National Taskforce on Police Reforms.

In a letter addressed to the President on Tuesday, August 18, Maraga faulted Ruto for not publishing the report, which had been submitted to him in November 2023.

He stated that the report had provided recommendations on how to restore the independence of the National Police Service (NPS) and address police impunity and police brutality, which the president had failed to implement.

"Among the recommendations we made in that Report is one requiring you to take appropriate action to restore the NPS's independence and end the systematic police brutality.

"For nearly three years, you have failed to implement the said recommendations and restore the independence of the service," the letter read in part.

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Maraga petitioned the Head of State to release the report, and warned that any mischief would force him to release the original copy.

"In line with Article 35 of the Constitution, I demand that you immediately release and publish the complete and unedited Taskforce Report within seven days, failure to which I will myself release it," the former CJ wrote.

The retired President of the Supreme Court condemned the blatant interference of the NPS, especially by Ruto, claiming that organised violence, goonism and partisan policing happened under his watch, direction and for his benefit.

He claimed that attacks in Homa Bay, Keumbu, Kisumu, Ol Kalou, and Witima were all a result of the State Capture of the NPS, and warned that it was a path that the country must not travel again.

His sentiment came after two people, including a police officer, were killed following a clash between goons and Linda Mwananchi supporters in Homa Bay County.

Several elected leaders from the Opposition and the Broad-based government, including Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua, have condemned the attack.

Linda Mwananchi leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, have blamed elected leaders from the county for plannign and executing the attack.

However, Homa Bay Town lawmaker Peter Kaluma claimed that Babu and Orengo orchestrated the attack, and even dropped names of individuals linked to their security and communications teams in the coordination of the chaos witnessed.

Earlier, Babu's aide, Oliver Jaoko, alias Olivetti, presented himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters after the NPS directed him to surrender over the violence witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay.

However, the DCI officers declined to receive him, claiming they were unaware of the directive.

Reporting originally appeared via Nairobi Leo. Read the full source for additional context.