Former Chief Justice and United Green Movement (UGM) party leader David Maraga has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of more than 40 lives, including four children, in floods that swept through parts of Kenya this past weekend.
Speaking in a statement, Maraga linked the tragedy to systemic failures in both national and county governance, calling for urgent reforms to prevent future disasters.
“My heart is heavy as I join you in mourning the over 40 lives lost to devastating floods this weekend, including four innocent children,” Maraga said.
“Grief must lead to action. Year after year, our people die in foreseeable floods. This is not simply an act of nature; it is the consequence of a government that has become utterly uncaring.”
Maraga criticized the National Government for prioritizing revenue collection and corruption over disaster preparedness.
He cited Auditor-General reports and his party’s studies highlighting stalled projects worth KSh 700 billion, avoidable interest charges of KSh 35 billion, illegal contract variations totaling KSh 60 billion, and over KSh 200 billion in expenditures deemed to lack value for money.
“Last year, our country spent nearly KSh 2 trillion on debt service—over 75% of revenue,” he noted, adding that these funds could have been used to modernize disaster management systems and build drainage infrastructure across cities.
He also accused Nairobi County Government of failing in its responsibilities, despite receiving KSh 165 billion since 2014.
“The tragedy in Nairobi is a direct indictment of the County Government. Blocked drains, illegal developments on waterways, and collapsed waste management persist,” Maraga said.
He questioned the qualifications of officials in disaster management, pointing out that the team includes theologians rather than trained engineers or climate experts.
“Lives are lost because expertise is ignored,” he added.
Maraga outlined the reforms the UGM advocates, emphasizing competence, transparency, and investment in disaster preparedness.
These include appointing qualified personnel, enforcing zero tolerance for corruption, prioritizing urban planning, and responsible financial management.
While acknowledging that the recent deaths cannot be reversed, Maraga urged citizens and authorities to use the tragedy as a wake-up call.
“We cannot bring back those who died this weekend, but we can ensure their deaths force us to confront the truth. It is time for honest leadership that values human life,” he said.
The former Chief Justice, who is also the UGM presidential flagbearer, framed the floods as a symptom of a wider governance crisis, calling for immediate corrective measures to protect Kenyans from future preventable disasters.