Former Chief Justice David Maraga has launched a sharp attack on president William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of using costly mega projects to siphon public resources ahead of the 2027 general election.

Maraga, who has been pre-selected as the United Green Movement, UGM, presidential flag bearer for 2027, claimed the government’s handling of major infrastructure projects was evidence of what he described as rampant corruption.

Speaking on Friday during a burial in Kisii county, Maraga singled out the Rironi-Mau Summit road project, questioning the decision to terminate an earlier contract linked to a French consortium and pursue a different arrangement involving Chinese contractors.

“You have read the Nation today about the Rironi – Mau Summit road. During the time of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, a French company was contracted to construct that road for about Sh159.27 billion, but as soon as Ruto came to power, he revoked that contract and gave it to a Chinese company at a cost of Sh192.6 billion, an extra Sh33.3 billion,” Maraga said.

The former CJ claimed the increase in cost pointed to a wider pattern of inflated public projects under the current administration.

“This project has become very costly. These mega projects that Ruto is pushing so hard, including the affordable housing units, are for the purpose of looting public resources, and they are being looted in large sums of money,” he said.

Treasury disclosures previously showed that Kenya would pay about Sh6.2 billion to the French consortium after the termination of the Nairobi – Nakuru – Mau Summit toll road deal. The cancelled project involved Vinci Highways SAS, Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund and Vinci Concessions SAS.

Maraga said Kenyans should reject president Ruto in 2027, arguing that another term would worsen corruption and deepen the country’s economic challenges.

“That is what we are condemning. We want Kenyans to know that we cannot afford to have him continue. In fact, it would be a disaster if Ruto is re-elected as President of this country,” he said.

He urged voters to unite behind alternative political leadership, saying the country’s future was at stake.

“Fellow Kenyans, let us stand together. Let’s get this man out of power so that we can reclaim our country. If we continue like this, our children and grandchildren will not have a country to live in,” Maraga said.

The remarks mark one of Maraga’s strongest attacks yet on the Ruto administration as he positions himself as an anti-corruption candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

The government has previously defended the Rironi – Mau Summit project review, citing affordability and fiscal concerns around the earlier toll-road model.

However, Maraga’s criticism is likely to intensify political debate over public debt, infrastructure spending and accountability in major state projects as the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi prepares to table the 2026 Finance Bill.

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