Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga has pressured the Kenya Kwanza administration to give a full account of what transpired after the government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, confirmed that billions of revenue collected from foreigners travelling to the country were deposited in Swiss accounts.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Maraga wondered who approved the diverting of money from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) programme to the Swiss account.
The former chief justice termed the move a violation of the constitution. He argued that the law dictates that all the money collected should be deposited in the consolidated fund.
“It is truly appalling to read yesterday’s statement from the Government Spokesperson that billions of shillings from the ETA program were deposited in Swiss accounts as a ‘pilot.”
“In a line of many scandals in our history, most of which have never been subjected to the wheels of justice, this is yet another flagrant violation of the Constitution which requires that all monies collected be deposited in the Consolidated Fund,” Maraga stated.
When was it approved?
Further, Maraga wondered who the signatories of the said deal were. He maintained that such decisions point to a lack of transparency from the government.
“When did Parliament approve this pilot? Why offshore Swiss accounts with their record of obscurity? Who are the signatories? What evidence do we have that this is not yet another offshore account scam for personal gain? Have those funds now been transferred to the Consolidated Fund?
“The lack of transparency and accountability in the way public resources are used is the main reason for the economic difficulties our country faces. The suffering is immediately felt by all, especially the ordinary Kenyan,” Maraga wrote.
“Kenya needs a reset of values, vision and an uncompromising rule of law. We must now be fearless in removing political leadership and cartels who do immeasurable and unacceptable harm to Kenyans,” he added.
Mwaura’s statement
In a statement released on Monday, April 14, 2025, Isaac Mwaura clarified that the Swiss transactions were part of a pilot phase of the ETA programme as part of the government’s plans to improve strategic partnerships with the Swiss firm.
“There was a piloting phase for the ETA programme, which was a collaboration between the Kenyan government and a Swiss company,” the government spokesperson said, adding that the pilot phase was done.
