In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, December 18, Maraga said portraying Kenya as being on a Singapore-style development path is misleading and potentially harmful.
He argued that the conditions that enabled Singapore’s success are largely missing in Kenya today.
According to Maraga, Singapore’s rise was built on firm leadership, strict discipline, and an uncompromising fight against corruption — not slogans or political messaging.
“Singapore succeeded because corruption was treated as a serious national threat,” Maraga said.
According to Maraga, Singapore’s rise was built on firm leadership, strict discipline, and an uncompromising fight against corruption — not slogans or political messaging.
“Singapore succeeded because corruption was treated as a serious national threat,” Maraga said.
“No office was too powerful to escape scrutiny.”
He pointed to Singapore’s history of holding even senior ministers accountable, citing cases where top officials were investigated, prosecuted, and forced out of office.
He pointed to Singapore’s history of holding even senior ministers accountable, citing cases where top officials were investigated, prosecuted, and forced out of office.
In his view, this culture of accountability laid the foundation for trust in government and long-term economic stability.
Maraga contrasted this with Kenya’s current governance climate, which he said appears to reward questionable conduct rather than punish it.
Maraga contrasted this with Kenya’s current governance climate, which he said appears to reward questionable conduct rather than punish it.
He claimed that individuals facing serious allegations continue to wield power while audit queries worth billions of shillings remain unresolved.
Beyond governance, the former Chief Justice raised concerns about Kenya’s growing public debt. He noted that when President Ruto took office, public debt stood at about Ksh8.6 trillion but has since risen sharply, crossing the Ksh12 trillion mark by late 2025, according to recent estimates.
Maraga warned that debt servicing now consumes nearly 70 per cent of ordinary government revenue, leaving limited funds for essential services such as healthcare, education, and development projects.
He argued that unlike Singapore, which used debt sparingly and focused on long-term fiscal discipline, Kenya appears to rely heavily on borrowing as a routine financing tool.
“Singapore treated debt as a last option, not a governing strategy,” he said, adding that the city-state built national wealth through savings, productivity, and careful planning rather than continuous deficit spending.
Maraga further criticised what he described as an expensive political system, saying a bloated political class continues to enjoy generous benefits while ordinary Kenyans struggle with joblessness, high living costs, and shrinking opportunities.
He also questioned whether the rising debt has translated into better public services, arguing that many Kenyans have seen little improvement in their daily lives despite increased government spending.
Another major concern raised by Maraga was the government’s promotion of labour export as a key economic strategy.
Beyond governance, the former Chief Justice raised concerns about Kenya’s growing public debt. He noted that when President Ruto took office, public debt stood at about Ksh8.6 trillion but has since risen sharply, crossing the Ksh12 trillion mark by late 2025, according to recent estimates.
Maraga warned that debt servicing now consumes nearly 70 per cent of ordinary government revenue, leaving limited funds for essential services such as healthcare, education, and development projects.
He argued that unlike Singapore, which used debt sparingly and focused on long-term fiscal discipline, Kenya appears to rely heavily on borrowing as a routine financing tool.
“Singapore treated debt as a last option, not a governing strategy,” he said, adding that the city-state built national wealth through savings, productivity, and careful planning rather than continuous deficit spending.
Maraga further criticised what he described as an expensive political system, saying a bloated political class continues to enjoy generous benefits while ordinary Kenyans struggle with joblessness, high living costs, and shrinking opportunities.
He also questioned whether the rising debt has translated into better public services, arguing that many Kenyans have seen little improvement in their daily lives despite increased government spending.
Another major concern raised by Maraga was the government’s promotion of labour export as a key economic strategy.
While acknowledging the importance of remittances, he said celebrating the export of hundreds of thousands of workers annually reflects economic failure rather than success.
“A serious development model should focus on creating jobs at home,” he said, adding that sustainable growth comes from investing in skills, industry, and productivity within the country.
Maraga noted that Kenya’s manufacturing sector remains small and underperforming, weighed down by high electricity costs, policy uncertainty, and frequent tax changes. These challenges, he said, continue to discourage investment and weaken business confidence.
He concluded by saying that Singapore’s leaders understood that clean governance, rule of law, and fiscal restraint were not moral ideals alone but powerful economic tools.
According to Maraga, Kenya’s biggest problem is not a lack of talent or ideas but a system that prioritises elite interests over public welfare.
He maintained that Kenya can still choose a different future, but only through disciplined leadership, strong institutions, and genuine commitment to accountability.
“Development is not built on promises,” he said.
“A serious development model should focus on creating jobs at home,” he said, adding that sustainable growth comes from investing in skills, industry, and productivity within the country.
Maraga noted that Kenya’s manufacturing sector remains small and underperforming, weighed down by high electricity costs, policy uncertainty, and frequent tax changes. These challenges, he said, continue to discourage investment and weaken business confidence.
He concluded by saying that Singapore’s leaders understood that clean governance, rule of law, and fiscal restraint were not moral ideals alone but powerful economic tools.
According to Maraga, Kenya’s biggest problem is not a lack of talent or ideas but a system that prioritises elite interests over public welfare.
He maintained that Kenya can still choose a different future, but only through disciplined leadership, strong institutions, and genuine commitment to accountability.
“Development is not built on promises,” he said.
“It is built on integrity, fairness, and responsibility.”
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