Cytonn Investments Chief Executive Officer Edwin Dande has sparked fresh debate over judicial accountability after raising concerns about the tenure of former Chief Justice David Maraga, particularly around claims of ethnic favoritism within the Judiciary.
In a public statement, Dande questioned whether Maraga, who now seeks the presidency under the United Green Movement (UGM) Party, presided over a system that allegedly promoted members of his Kisii community at a faster rate than other Kenyans.
While acknowledging Maraga’s reputation for integrity and bold leadership during his time at the helm of the Judiciary of Kenya, Dande said lingering concerns about internal promotions continue to raise questions.
“CJ Maraga presents a compelling opportunity for Kenyans to reset the button,” Dande stated, citing his record in defending judicial independence.
However, he added that certain developments during Maraga’s tenure had “been bothering” him, particularly regarding the rise of controversial figures within the judicial system.
Central to Dande’s remarks is his long-running criticism of High Court Judge Alfred Mabeya, whom he has repeatedly accused of corruption in handling high-stakes commercial disputes.
Dande claimed that after closely examining Mabeya’s rulings and conduct, he became concerned about how the judge rose to become Presiding Judge at the Milimani Commercial Courts.
According to Dande, feedback he received from sources within the legal sector suggested that judicial promotions during Maraga’s tenure may have been influenced by ethnic considerations.
He described the alleged trend as part of a broader problem of “negative ethnicity,” warning that such practices could undermine public trust in institutions.
“The answer was shocking,” Dande said, alleging that individuals from the Kisii community were favored in career progression within the Judiciary.
He posed a direct question to the public: whether the judiciary under Maraga disproportionately advanced members of his ethnic group.
The claims have not been independently verified, and Maraga has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Legal analysts note that judicial appointments and promotions in Kenya are overseen by the Judicial Service Commission, which operates under constitutional guidelines intended to ensure merit and diversity.
The remarks come at a politically sensitive time as Maraga positions himself as a reform-focused presidential contender.
Observers say the allegations, if substantiated or effectively challenged, could shape public perception of his leadership record and influence the broader discourse on governance, integrity, and ethnic balance in public institutions.