Outcry after alleged goons disrupt civil society budget meeting at Nairobi cathedral

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‎Former Chief Justice David Maraga has condemned the violent disruption of a civil society public participation forum on the 2026-27 budget at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.

‎In a statement, Maraga described the incident as an assault on constitutional rights and democratic governance.

‎He said the attack on the forum was not an isolated act of lawlessness but appeared to have been a coordinated effort to intimidate citizens participating in a constitutionally protected process.

‎“What took place this morning was not a random act of lawlessness. Organised groups stormed a lawful civic gathering, terrorised participants and attempted to seize their phones,” Maraga said.

‎He further claimed that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the incident had reportedly informed police that he was acting on instructions from a top official.

‎“If true, this is not mere criminality. It is an assault on our Constitution itself,” he said.

‎The former Chief Justice said public participation in the budget-making process is a constitutional right and a critical mechanism through which citizens influence how public resources are allocated and spent.

‎“Public participation in the budget process is not a privilege that citizens must earn, nor a courtesy that can be withdrawn when scrutiny becomes uncomfortable. It is a constitutional right, enshrined to ensure that public resources are directed to the needs and priorities of the people,” he said.

‎Maraga warned that attempts to silence citizens through intimidation undermine accountability and threaten democratic governance.

‎“Those who send goons to silence that process are not protecting government. Instead, they are exposing its fear of accountability and creating parallel security structures, which endanger the safety and security of Kenya,” he said.

‎The former CJ expressed solidarity with the organisers of the forum, civil society groups and citizens who participate in public affairs.

‎“I stand in full solidarity with the organisers of this event, civil society organisations and every citizen who exercises their democratic right and civic duty to engage in public participation processes,” he said.

‎Maraga also called on the National Police Service to thoroughly investigate the incident and pursue all leads regardless of who may be implicated.

‎“I call on the Inspector General of Police and relevant authorities to pursue the arrested suspect's statement to its conclusion, wherever it may lead, however high it goes,” he said.

‎“Impunity thrives when investigations stop at the foot soldier.”

‎The former CJ warned against the use of gangs and militias as instruments of political control, saying such practices have no place in a constitutional democracy.

‎“The era of goons and armed militias as governance tools must end,” he said.

‎Maraga further cautioned that restricting public participation and free expression could erode democratic gains achieved under the Constitution.

‎“A Kenya where citizens cannot speak freely about how their taxes are spent is not a democracy. It is an attempt to instil fear and manage silence,” he said.

‎“I will not accept that Kenya, and neither should you. The rule of law is not negotiable.”

According to The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the alleged goons disrupted and stole valuables at the CSOs' meeting.

"We condemn this act of intimidation and assert that it will not deter us from scrutinising the budget," the commission said.

‎The disruption of the forum has sparked fresh debate over civic space and the conduct of public participation exercises as Parliament begins consideration of budget-related legislation following Thursday's Budget Statement.

‎Civil society organisations have increasingly raised concerns about intimidation and shrinking civic space, while government officials have maintained that constitutional rights and freedoms remain protected.

‎Police had not publicly commented on the allegations raised by Maraga at the time of publication.