Former Chief Justice David Maraga has strongly condemned the use of excessive force against Gen Z demonstrators during the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, declaring that those responsible will one day face justice. His remarks follow the release of a revealing BBC Africa documentary that pieces together more than 5,000 images and videos captured by protesters and journalists, exposing what many in power allegedly tried to cover up.
Speaking on Monday, Maraga said the documentary should awaken the conscience of every Kenyan. “The disproportionate use of force against the youth last June is yet another reminder of the urgent need for IPOA and other investigative agencies to carry out their mandates expeditiously,” he stated.
The former CJ emphasized that the right to protest and picket is enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution and was grossly violated. “Those behind this violence, violation of the Constitution and the rule of law are reminded that although the wheels of justice may grind slowly, we will eventually have a leadership that will hold them accountable for their actions,” Maraga said.
He also commended the role of young Kenyans and journalists who documented the crackdown using mobile phones and cameras. “In a time when we cannot trust the words of this administration, it is citizen action and fearless journalism that ensure the truth is not erased,” he added.
The BBC investigation identified specific security officers allegedly involved in the fatal shootings of peaceful, unarmed protesters outside Parliament Buildings. Despite public outrage and a directive from a parliamentary committee for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to probe the deaths and publish its findings, no official report on the killings has been released to date.
Nonetheless, IPOA has issued a general status update on its broader investigation into police conduct during the 2024 protests, indicating ongoing probes but offering few details.
As calls for justice grow louder, Maraga’s remarks echo the broader national demand for accountability, constitutional fidelity, and respect for the rule of law. Many Kenyans are now looking to future leadership to right these wrongs and restore trust in public institutions.
