Maraga links graft to rising poverty in Kenya

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has criticised what he described as cash handouts and patronage politics, saying they reflect the depth of the country’s social and economic decline.

Speaking at Ufungamano House, Maraga said corruption and an extractive system of governance had robbed millions of Kenyans of their dignity.

He cited the reported death of an elderly man in Kisii who, he said, was trampled while scrambling for Sh200 being distributed during a political event.

Maraga said concerns about corruption were consistently raised during visits to various counties, with residents describing its impact on their lives.

According to him, the issue emerged repeatedly during engagements with wananchi, who linked corruption to worsening economic conditions and growing hardship.

“Throughout the counties we visited, Wananchi were quite clear in their minds. In fact, from everywhere, there is not one station we went to where Wananchi did not raise issues. They said corruption has reduced them to beggars in their own country,” Maraga said.

He argued that corruption had stripped millions of Kenyans of their dignity and humanity, leaving many vulnerable and struggling to meet their daily needs.

Maraga said the concerns raised during the county visits reflected widespread frustration among citizens over their economic circumstances.

“The extractive system has stripped millions of Kenyans of their dignity and their humanity. To the extent that one Mzee, a man nearly 100 years old, was trampled upon and killed when he was scrambling for Sh200. You go to the area, pour money, and the people come,” he said.

Maraga further claimed that people were lining up to receive money and said the death of the elderly man illustrated the desperation facing some citizens and the broader effects of poverty.

“You have seen people lining up and being given money. This Mzee was trampled upon and died. Sh200 was the value of that elderly man,” he said.

The former Chief Justice said the experiences shared by residents during his visits pointed to what he described as the human cost of corruption and poor governance.

He maintained that the concerns raised across the counties reflected the challenges facing ordinary Kenyans and the need to address issues affecting their livelihoods and dignity.