The President insisted that Kenya remains a great nation
President William Ruto has dismissed former Chief Justice David Maraga’s recent warning that Kenya is on the
verge of becoming a failed state, calling it baseless and contradictory.
Speaking at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, July 23, the President defended Kenya’s resilience and progress, saying it’s a nation of achievements not decline.
“I listened to one gentleman who retired the other day after working for 40-50 years and wants to be president. And I listened to him say that Kenya is a failed state,” Ruto said, referring to Maraga without naming him.
“So for 40 years you have been working in a failed state and now you want to be president of a failed state?”
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Ruto asked how someone who had lost confidence in Kenya’s future could be president.
“Why would you want to be entrusted with the leadership of a country you don’t believe in?” he asked.
Maraga’s Interview
The President’s remarks were in response to a K24 interview on July 21 where Maraga said the country was heading to collapse due to political instability, economic hardships and breakdown in governance.
In the interview, the former Chief Justice said unless urgent measures were taken, Kenya would join the list of failed states, citing mismanagement, disregard for the constitution and the violent suppression of recent anti-government protests.
Maraga’s comments have since sparked national debate especially with speculation growing over his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ruto: Kenya Is Not Failing — It’s Thriving
President Ruto pointed to thriving institutions and market performance as proof of national stability and growth.
He cited the recent recognition of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) as Africa’s best performing exchange and the success of companies like Liaison Group and Linzi FinCo as evidence that Kenya is far from being a failed state.> “For your information, entities like Liaison Group, Linzi FinCo and the Nairobi Securities Exchange which was named the best in Africa last year do not exist in failed states,” the President said.
Ruto further urged leaders to unite and work towards national progress rather than spreading doom.
“Kenya is a great nation and we all have a duty and responsibility to make it even greater,” he said.
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Political Implications
Maraga did not declare a presidential bid during the K24 interview but his criticism of the government and his national profile and growing public presence has raised speculation about a possible 2027 run.
By portraying the former Chief Justice as politically savvy and disengaged from the nation’s real progress, Ruto’s comments seem to address both the merits of Maraga’s criticism and its reasons.
The conversation reflects growing hostilities between the government and influential members of the judiciary and civil society, many of whom have become more outspoken in their criticism of the government’s shortcomings and the unhappiness of the populace.
Narratives of resilience versus national decline are likely to continue to be a major topic of discussion as the political landscape of 2027 takes shape.
The President insisted that Kenya remains a great nation
