‘Shut Down the Regime’: Maraga Tells Ruto After Albert Ojwang’s Murder
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a scathing statement demanding President William Ruto’s administration to resign following the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang while in police custody.
Maraga, a declared 2027 presidential candidate, has cited an official autopsy report indicating that Ojwang was subjected to severe physical abuse, including torture and strangulation, allegedly by police officers.
The statement released Tuesday directly blames the government for the incident and links it to a broader pattern of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances which Maraga claims have skyrocketed under the current administration.
“This brutal murder, coming nearly a year after the killing, maiming and abduction of hundreds of young Kenyans is proof that William Ruto’s administration does not think the people of Kenya are sovereign,” Maraga said. “He has therefore lost legitimacy to be in power.”
Maraga also referenced last year’s Gen Z-led protests against police brutality during which over 100 youths lost their lives. He accused the government of “abetting state sponsored terror” and failing to uphold the rule of law.
Government Pathologist findings reportedly confirmed that Ojwang who was detained earlier this month suffered injuries consistent with torture and asphyxiation. His death has sparked outrage among human rights groups and opposition leaders who see it as part of a broader crisis in law enforcement accountability.
“The Ruto administration has taken Kenyans for granted for long,” Maraga said. “It’s not normal, not acceptable and totally indefensible for enforced disappearances to rise by 450% in one year.”
He described Ojwang’s case as “the last straw” and called for national reckoning and institutional reform. “We now demand the regime to shut down, make way for the rule of law and accountability; a restoration to the values of human life; and a rebuilding of our institutions that now point towards State failure.”
Maraga’s statement is likely to escalate political temperatures ahead of the 2027 general elections as calls for police oversight and justice system reforms continue to grow.
As of press time, there was no response from State House or Ministry of Interior on the allegations or Maraga’s demands. But civic groups and opposition leaders are expected to issue formal reactions in the coming days.
‘Shut Down the Regime’: Maraga Tells Ruto After Albert Ojwang’s Murder