NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Chief Justice David Maraga has formally declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election, positioning himself as a reform candidate seeking to rescue Kenya from what he described as dangerous political decay and entrenched corruption.
Speaking during an interview on NTV Wednesday night, Maraga said his decision followed months of reflection and consultations with close associates, friends, and concerned citizens.
“After serious reflection and consultation, I have made the decision to offer myself as a presidential candidate in 2027,” said the former head of the Judiciary. “We cannot sit back and watch a few people literally throw our country to the dogs.”
Maraga, who served as Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021 and is widely respected for his integrity and firm stance on the rule of law, cited the mistreatment of youth during recent protests and the erosion of public trust in state institutions as key motivations for his presidential run.
“To see our young people being handled the way they have been is extremely worrying,” he said. “This country needs leadership that is anchored on justice, accountability, and the rule of law.”
Former CJ David Maraga: I have made up my mind to run for the presidency in 2027.#MaragasVerdict @jageyo
Though this is the first time the former CJ has publicly confirmed his presidential ambitions, signs of a political transition have been evident in recent months.
Maraga has increasingly engaged with civil society, youth leaders, and grassroots movements while openly criticizing the Kenya Kwanza administration’s handling of governance and economic priorities.
In a recent town hall meeting in Nairobi’s Dandora estate, Maraga promised to root out what he termed the “culture of stealing” in government, blaming Kenya’s systemic problems on unchecked graft and mismanagement.
“If we deal with corruption, Kenya will move forward,” he said. “You won’t see doctors and teachers on the streets. Public servants will be paid on time, hospitals will have medicine, and citizens will have faith in their government again.”
Maraga’s presidential bid is expected to shake up Kenya’s political landscape, potentially appealing to voters disillusioned with both the ruling coalition and the traditional opposition.
His reputation for integrity, highlighted by his historic 2017 Supreme Court decision that nullified a presidential election, remains one of his strongest political assets.
He now joins a growing list of early 2027 hopefuls eyeing the presidency, with analysts predicting an intensely competitive race.
Maraga’s entry into the political arena marks a rare move for a former Chief Justice in Kenya.
His tenure on the bench was marked by a strict interpretation of the Constitution, most notably when he led the Supreme Court in annulling the 2017 presidential election — a first in Africa.
