Former Chief Justice David Maraga has criticized President William Ruto’s governance approach, warning that Kenya is moving away from the Singapore development model often cited by the President.
In a statement released on Thursday, December 18, Maraga argued that while President Ruto frequently tells Kenyans they are on track to become the “Singapore of Africa,” the comparison is misleading.
He noted that Singapore’s success was built on discipline, integrity, and leadership that treated public resources as sacred and viewed corruption as a serious threat.
Former CJ Maraga Flags Concern Over Kenya Moving Away from Ruto’s Singapore Vision. Photo: Courtesy.
Maraga emphasized that under the current administration, Kenya is moving in the opposite direction.
The former CJ highlighted that pro-growth policies require a clean government, adherence to the rule of law, and leadership grounded in personal restraint and institutional discipline qualities he argued are lacking under the current leadership.
According to Maraga, Kenya’s problem is not a lack of ideas or talent, but the absence of disciplined and ethical leadership that treats public office as a trust, corruption as a serious threat, and national resources as sacred.
He contrasted Kenya’s current path with Singapore’s model, citing five core pillars: strict anti-corruption enforcement, fiscal restraint and long-term planning, a lean and merit-based government, zero tolerance for waste, and a focus on creating wealth domestically rather than exporting labour.
Maraga argued that Kenya displays few of the traits that defined Singapore’s rise, citing excessive debt accumulation, an expensive political class, and a system where corruption is rewarded rather than punished.
He also faulted the government for promoting labour export as an economic strategy.
His remarks come weeks after President Ruto’s November 20 State of the Nation address, in which he unveiled an ambitious, Singapore-inspired plan to transform Kenya into a first-world economy through major infrastructure projects worth over Ksh5 trillion.
Ruto proposed funding the projects through new vehicles such as a National Infrastructure Fund and a Sovereign Wealth Fund, drawing from natural resource revenues and privatization proceeds.
However, analysts have raised doubts about the plan’s viability amid rising debt levels, heavy debt-servicing costs, and concerns over Kenya’s fiscal sustainability.
