BY RITA MUTHONI
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has condemned the use of what he termed as excessive force by police to disperse opposition gatherings, saying the actions are unconstitutional and undermine Kenyans’ right to peaceful assembly.
Speaking in Embu Town during the unveiling of a United Green Movement (UGM) Party candidate for the Evurore Ward by-election in Mbeere North Subcounty, Maraga accused the government of orchestrating disruptions out of fear over the opposition’s growing popularity.
He claimed the police crackdowns were a sign that the administration was in “panic mode,” alleging that President William Ruto had sanctioned the move to frustrate rival political camps.
“This is an outdated barbaric act and we are telling the President to end impunity by the police and violations of Kenyans’ rights to peaceful assembly,” said Maraga.
The former Chief Justice made the remarks as he introduced Kennedy Njeru as the UGM candidate for the upcoming Evurore Ward by-election in Embu North Constituency.
At the same event, Maraga called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to decentralize voter registration services to make them more accessible.
He urged the commission to conduct mobile registration drives in local areas to spare residents the cost and inconvenience of traveling long distances to registration centers.
Maraga maintained that protecting civil liberties and expanding voter access are critical to strengthening Kenya’s democratic space.
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