Former Chief Justice David Maraga Declares 2027 Presidential Bid
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has officially announced his intention to run for the presidency in the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a potentially significant political shift. Speaking in Kisii on Sunday after a church service, Maraga expressed his readiness to take on the country’s top job, emphasizing his commitment to bringing change.
Maraga, however, maintained that his fate lies in the hands of the electorate, dismissing claims that he is being fronted as a state project.
“At the end of the day, it is the people who will decide. Just relax, wait, and in due course, you will make up your mind on whether or not I am a state project,” he said.
The former CJ also called for transparency in the upcoming elections, urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure free and fair polls.
“We are praying that they (IEBC Selection Panel) select fit people; honest people to deliver a free and fair election,” Maraga added.
Political Landscape in Kisii
Maraga’s declaration comes amidst growing political activity in the Kisii region. A faction of top Kisii leaders, led by Senator Richard Onyonka, has endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as the region’s preferred presidential candidate.
“We have decided that as a community, we are also going to set up our own political party. We are going to produce our own candidate who will negotiate with the President and all the other people who are running for political office in this country, and that candidate is none other than Fred Matiang’i,” Onyonka said.
Despite this, Maraga remains confident in his bid, recently welcoming an endorsement from the Gen Z movement, which has been pushing for his candidacy. Speaking at a public lecture at Rongo University on March 27, he confirmed ongoing consultations with stakeholders and promised to make a final decision soon.
“The request has been made; I’m discussing it with various stakeholders. I will make a final decision, and when the time comes, we will see whether or not we will do that,” Maraga stated.
Addressing Kenya’s Challenges
The former CJ underscored the importance of understanding the weight of an elective position, emphasizing that leadership should be rooted in service to the people.
“One must clearly understand the power of their contribution when they earn an elective position,” he noted.
Drawing from his experience leading the Judiciary, Maraga expressed confidence in his ability to govern, stating, “I was head of one arm of government. There is no magic about being a head of another arm of government.”
Among the key challenges he hopes to tackle, he identified corruption as Kenya’s most pressing issue.
“The major problem in this country is corruption. Budgeted and institutional corruption has not been solved effectively, and as a result, the country is not able to have enough resources to deal with the issues that are there,” Maraga said.
With his declaration, Maraga now enters a competitive political arena, and Kenyans will be watching closely to see how his campaign unfolds as the 2027 elections draw closer.
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Former Chief Justice David Maraga Declares 2027 Presidential Bid