David Maraga Releases Suppressed Police Reform Report

Former Chief Justice David Maraga released a 2023 report on police and security sector reforms on August 31, 2026, after President William Ruto failed to publish the document. Maraga, who chaired the National Taskforce appointed by Ruto, originally submitted the report on November 16, 2023. The document remained unpublished for nearly three years despite the National Police Service Commission claiming in October 2024 that it was making progress on some recommendations.

The report contains approximately 200 recommendations, including designating the National Police Service as an independent institution. Maraga called for the repeal of 2014 legal amendments, arguing they placed police leadership under a "presidential stranglehold." He further demanded the restoration of competitive recruitment for the Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General, and the Director of Criminal Investigations.

Maraga dedicated the report to victims of enforced disappearances, noting that police brutality contributed to at least 3,958 deaths over four years. The release followed pressure from opposition leaders including Eugene Wamalwa, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Justin Muturi. These leaders criticized the government for prioritizing new police uniforms over officer welfare and institutional independence, with Musyoka specifically calling for an overhaul of the training curriculum used to handle public demonstrations.