Maraga’s Party Responds to Sexual Harassment Claims, Defends Handling of Internal Complaints

Maraga’s Party Responds to Sexual Harassment Claims, Defends Handling of Internal Complaints

The United Green Movement (UGM), the political party associated with former Chief Justice David Maraga, has issued a detailed response to allegations that it mishandled sexual harassment complaints raised by former campaign team member and activist Shakira Wafula, insisting that due process was followed and denying claims that the party sidelined women.

The statement, released on June 3 by UGM Secretary General Katto Wambui, comes amid renewed public debate following comments made by Wafula regarding Maraga’s participation in an anti-femicide protest in Nairobi during Madaraka Day commemorations.

Wafula had questioned Maraga’s appearance at the event, arguing that it was inconsistent with allegations she previously raised regarding the handling of sexual harassment complaints within his political campaign.

In response, UGM published a lengthy account of events surrounding the matter, outlining what it described as the chronology of interactions between party officials and the complainants.

The party was keen to clarify that the individual accused of misconduct was not former Chief Justice Maraga.

“The United Green Movement Party (UGM) has noted allegations of sexual harassment published by Ms. Shakira Wafula on her X platform handle, particularly on 1st and 2nd June, 2026,” the statement said.

The party further noted that Wafula had linked her concerns to Maraga’s participation in the public demonstration against femicide and gender-based violence.

According to UGM, Wafula joined the exploratory campaign team and served as Secretary of the Political Committee before Maraga formally joined the party in October 2025.

The statement indicated that she resigned shortly after Maraga officially became part of UGM.

Party officials stated that the allegations were first raised during a virtual meeting on October 11, 2025, when Wafula and two other women reportedly informed senior campaign members of alleged sexual harassment involving a high-ranking official within the campaign structure.

UGM said an agreement was reached to hold a follow-up meeting involving additional individuals selected by the complainants to ensure transparency and fairness during the process.

According to the party, efforts were made to schedule meetings promptly, although the complainants were unavailable until several days later.

The party stated that subsequent discussions focused on establishing a formal process through which the allegations could be investigated.

UGM claimed the complainants were advised to submit written complaints as required under the party constitution and to indicate whether they intended to pursue legal action.

According to the statement, the complainants instead sought direct intervention from Maraga and requested the immediate suspension of the accused individual before any formal hearing could take place.

Weeks later, the party said a joint complaint was eventually submitted alleging incidents of sexual harassment that reportedly occurred between June and August 2025.

UGM maintained that internal mechanisms were activated and hearings scheduled to examine the claims.

However, the party alleged that Wafula later withdrew from the process and failed to participate in proceedings designed to determine the validity of the allegations.

According to the statement, an internal committee subsequently concluded that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims based on the information presented before it.

“It is therefore malicious, unfair, dishonest and misdirected for Ms. Shakira Wafula to attempt to publicly malign and soil the character of the Hon. Chief Justice Emeritus, having refused to participate in the internal due process or pursue other legal options as she was advised to do,” the statement read.

The party also defended Maraga’s personal conduct and public record, arguing that his participation in events supporting victims and grieving families reflects a long-standing commitment to compassion and public service.

“Hon. Maraga has on several occasions, in public and private, arrived with flowers, gifts, or just by presence, condoled with those who suffer or mourn. His participation at the matriarchs’ grief sit-down is consistent with his personality, manner, and style,”UGM stated.

The response follows Wafula’s criticism of Maraga’s appearance at the anti-femicide gathering.

“Maraga arriving at the matriarch’s grief sit-down with flowers and a clear desire to command attention is deeply distasteful. Coming from someone whose campaign sidelined women after mishandling sexual harassment allegations, the optics are particularly troubling,” Wafula said in remarks posted online.

The matter continues to attract public attention as discussions around accountability, workplace conduct, and gender justice remain central issues within Kenya’s political and civic spaces.

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Maraga’s Party Responds to Sexual Harassment Claims, Defends Handling of Internal Complaints