By Valentine Omondi
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has given President William Ruto a seven-day ultimatum to release the complete and unedited report of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms, warning that he will publish it himself if the President fails to act.
In a letter dated August 18, 2026, Maraga, who chaired the taskforce, questioned why the report handed to President Ruto nearly three years ago remains unavailable to the public.
The taskforce presented its report to Ruto on November 16, 2023, following its examination of challenges affecting Kenya’s security sector and the National Police Service.
Maraga argued that Kenyans have a right to access the document because the taskforce’s work was undertaken using public resources.
He invoked Article 35 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right of access to information held by the State, and demanded that Ruto release and publish the complete report within seven days.
Maraga further warned that if the President fails to comply, he will make the report public himself.
Maraga questions delay in releasing the report
The former Chief Justice’s demand comes amid renewed concerns over the conduct and independence of the National Police Service.
In his letter, Maraga referred to recent incidents in Homa Bay, Keumbu and Ol Kalou, as well as violence reported at churches in Kisumu, Nairobi and Witima.
He linked the developments to the broader question of police independence and accountability, arguing that the reforms proposed by his taskforce were intended to address longstanding concerns, including police brutality and impunity.
Maraga questioned why the recommendations have not been fully implemented nearly three years after the report was submitted to the President.
He cited constitutional provisions governing national security organs and the National Police Service, particularly those requiring the police to exercise their functions independently and without improper interference.
The former Chief Justice warned that Kenya should not return to a period in which political interference in security institutions resulted in serious abuses.
What is publicly known about the taskforce’s work
The taskforce’s work was broadly focused on reforms within the National Police Service and other security institutions. Issues publicly associated with the reform process have included police welfare, remuneration, recruitment, leadership, corruption, equipment and the independence of security agencies.
President Ruto had previously received an interim report from the taskforce and accepted some recommendations touching on police remuneration, recruitment and transfers.
Maraga’s latest demand, however, concerns the complete and unedited report, rather than selected recommendations or an interim document.
His argument is that Kenyans should be allowed to see the document and assess the recommendations for themselves.
The seven-day ultimatum now puts the President on notice that failure to release the report could result in Maraga publishing it independently.
The former Chief Justice’s intervention comes at a politically sensitive moment, with questions surrounding police conduct, political violence and the independence of security institutions once again dominating public debate.
For Maraga, the issue is therefore not only about implementing police reforms but also about transparency and the public’s constitutional right to information.
The seven-day period now becomes the key test of whether the government will release the long-awaited document or whether Maraga will proceed with his threat to make it public himself.
