NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Chief Justice David Maraga has raised Sh8 million from citizen donations for his 2027 presidential campaign, announcing the fundraising milestone Tuesday, April 7, even as he demanded the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) safeguard electoral integrity.
The funds, mobilised from ordinary Kenyans nationwide, reflect what Maraga described as a collective determination to “reset, rebuild and restore” the country despite economic and governance challenges.
Citizen Finance Model
“Eight million shillings, given by ordinary, determined, faithful Kenyans who refuse to give up on this country. I am humbled and deeply grateful,” Maraga stated.
He framed contributions as symbolic of shared responsibility rather than mere financial support. “This is not my campaign. This is Kenya’s moment. Let us not waste it.”
However, Maraga cautioned that the amount represents only a starting point. “The work ahead is immense. To reset, rebuild and restore Kenya will take every one of us—our prayers, our voices, and yes, our continued giving.”
He urged non-contributors to donate and existing donors to mobilise others: “If you have not yet contributed, today is the day. If you have, tell someone. Share the details. Keep the fire burning.”
IEBC Pressure
The fundraising announcement followed Maraga’s weekend intervention demanding that IEBC refrain from actions eroding public confidence. He called on the commission to “desist from any statements or actions that undermine citizen confidence in their ability to conduct free, fair and credible elections in accordance with the law and the Constitution.”
Maraga, who met commissioners on March 23, emphasised “uncompromising ballot integrity and the faithful upholding of their Oath of Office.”
He framed elections as continuous processes requiring transparency beyond polling day: “Elections are a process whose trust and integrity must be exercised at all times, not just on Election Day.”
Reform Demands
The former Chief Justice urged immediate multi-stakeholder forum convening to address voter register audit, diaspora registration, election technology reliability, and legal reforms. “It is now urgent,” he stated.
His intervention comes amid the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise confusion running until April 28, 2026. IEBC clarified Sunday that pre-2012 registrants need not re-enrol unless excluded from the 2012 biometric database—a clarification responding to manipulation allegations Maraga implicitly referenced.
Judicial-Political Transition
Maraga’s dual posture—citizen-funded candidate and electoral integrity sentinel—tests the boundaries between judicial retirement and political contestation. His 2022 presidential ambitions, signalled before retirement, now crystallise with formal fundraising 18 months pre-poll.
The Sh8 million milestone, modest by Kenyan campaign finance standards, signals reliance on small-donor mobilisation rather than established political financing networks—a strategy aligning with his “citizen moment” framing but raising sustainability questions for competitive national campaigning.
