Maraga Teargassed
Branded under the hashtag #MakovuYaJuni25, the anniversary procession drew crowds in major towns across Kenya, with many calling for accountability and reforms.
Screengrab showing supporters shielding Former Chief Justice David Maraga. Photo/[Screengrab]
By Robert Assad
Former Chief Justice David Maraga was caught in the thick of chaos today along Kimathi Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District as police lobbed teargas canisters into a crowd of peaceful protesters marking the anniversary of the June 25 demonstrations.
Maraga, widely respected for his unwavering stance on constitutionalism, had earlier addressed the crowd outside the Nation Centre, urging demonstrators to remain calm, orderly, and peaceful.
“We should all ensure our women are safe. Let us all ensure everyone is safe,” he told a cheering group of young protesters.But moments after his call for peace, clouds of teargas engulfed the streets.
Police officers, in an attempt to disperse the swelling crowd, fired canisters into the heart of the procession. In a tense but swift moment, Maraga’s supporters formed a protective ring around him, shielding him to safety through the choking haze.
Speaking defiantly just before the chaos erupted, Chief Justice Emeritus Maraga called for the restoration of constitutional values and the protection of human dignity in Kenya.
“We want the Constitution to be respected. We want human life to have value,” he said. “That’s why we are here. I can’t see any violence here—these people are peaceful.”
Visibly disappointed with the police response, Maraga condemned what he described as state-sponsored brutality, insisting that change must be driven through constitutional means.
“This violence by police must stop. It needs to change. And we need to change this constitutionally,” he urged. “The appeal is to all Kenyans—vote this government out, so that we can reset this country.”
Maraga’s presence, alongside other high-profile figures like Senator Okiya Omtatah, lent weight to today’s protests, which were organized to honour victims of police brutality during last year’s deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
Branded under the hashtag #MakovuYaJuni25, the anniversary procession drew crowds in major towns across Kenya, with many calling for accountability and reforms.
Despite the tear gas, songs of protest echoed through the air. Young and old, clergy and civil society members, all marched with one voice—calling for an end to impunity, a stop to police brutality, and a future where justice is not just written in the Constitution, but felt in every Kenyan’s daily life.
About Author
