David vs Goliath: Maraga takes on Ruto with faith and no war chest
By Reuben Mwambingu, August 6, 2025To say the country was in shock would be an understatement. The ruling was unprecedented and historic. Kenyans experienced a complex mix of frustration and elation when the Chief Justice David Maraga-led Supreme Court annulled the August 8, 2017, presidential election.
Whenever Maraga’s name is mentioned today, memories return to that dramatic mid-morning of September 1, 2017, when he stood before the Supreme Court and declared the presidential results “invalid, null and void”—making Kenya the first African country to annul a presidential election.
Now retired from the Judiciary, Maraga is eyeing a new frontier: the presidency.
The man once viewed as a symbol of judicial independence is attempting to transition into the executive branch, having declared his intention to unseat President William Ruto and become Kenya’s sixth head of state.
Newcomer enters fray
Unlike his rivals, Maraga is a political newcomer making his first foray into elective politics. His entry has already stirred controversy.
Critics question his motives, with some branding him a political project or spoiler, potentially vulnerable to influence by deep-pocketed power players known for using money to sway elections.
However, it is Maraga’s plain-speaking criticism of government excesses that appears to be unsettling political elites.
He is rapidly becoming a thorn in the side of the political establishment.
His candid condemnation of what he terms reckless opulence among Kenya Kwanza leaders and allies of the president has earned him both praise and ridicule in equal measure.
The former Chief Justice, whose political message increasingly resonates with the Gen Z demographic, has been outspoken in questioning the source of staggering amounts of money displayed at what government officials term “economic empowerment” events.
These flashy cash giveaways, often staged in rural settings, have raised eyebrows across the country.
Testing the waters
While government supporters defend the cash disbursements as economic liberation, Maraga has reignited a long-standing debate about transparency, accountability, and the misuse of public funds for political gain.
His message appears to be gaining traction, especially among young Kenyans who mobilised en masse during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests.
“Politicians are often quick to exploit crises, posing as saviours, only for their lofty promises to vanish once they’re in office,” observes political analyst Shaban Mwalimu.
“Maraga is not doing anything new. Like others before him, he is tapping into current frustrations and trying to offer himself as the solution.”
Mwalimu does not rule out the possibility that Maraga could be a political decoy.
“Kenyan politics is complex. During incumbent elections – like the one coming in 2027 – it is notoriously difficult to dislodge a sitting president, especially one who has spent their first term entrenching power.”
According to the analyst, many of those joining the race now are likely testing the waters in preparation for 2032, when the political landscape could be more open.
That said, Mwalimu concedes that anyone who accurately captures the pain points of ordinary Kenyans can become a force to reckon with.
“But voters are smarter now. They’ve seen campaign promises turn to dust before. In 2027, rhetoric alone won’t be enough.”
Maraga is charting a different path.
He has vowed not to seek funding from billionaires or cartels, instead turning to ordinary Kenyans to bankroll his bid – an approach widely dismissed by seasoned politicians as fanciful.
Undeterred, Maraga has launched a public fundraising drive under the slogan “Reset, Restore, and Rebuild”, with assurances of full transparency and secure digital platforms for donations.
His campaign secretariat claims thousands have already joined the cause.
“This is your journey. My commitment to you is transparency, accountability, and respect for your contributions,” reads a message on his official campaign site.
In a recent TV interview, Maraga linked Kenya’s runaway corruption to the high cost of political campaigns, arguing that once elected, leaders prioritise recovering campaign expenses – often through looting public coffers – before amassing funds for future elections.
“We have budgeted corruption,” he said, citing cases such as ghost schools exposed in the Auditor General’s reports.
“The system is designed for politicians to first buy your vote with stolen money, then go back and steal even more.”
He insists that over-reliance on money in politics marginalises young, visionary leaders who lack resources but have the will to lead.
“Giving someone Ksh1,000 during campaigns is not empowerment. It’s a trap. The consequences of bad leadership last for years,” Maraga warned.
Critics and sceptics
He revealed that his personal contribution to the campaign would be no more than Ksh1-2 million.
“The rest, if Kenyans want change, they must own it,” he said.
Not everyone is buying into Maraga’s vision. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah ridiculed Maraga’s appeal for public donations, calling it hypocritical.
“You were in government for over 50 years, you earned a salary as Chief Justice, and now you want Kenyans to raise money for your campaign?” Ichung’wah asked during a rally in Molo.
“You’re telling people not to take our empowerment money, but you want them to fund you with Ksh200, Ksh500? Which is fairer?”
However, those close to Maraga insist he is no one’s puppet.
“It would be the height of dishonesty to claim that Maraga, with his record, is someone’s project,” said a member of his campaign team, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak on Maraga’s behalf.
“He’s a man of integrity. His 74 years speak for themselves. No scandal, no stain. He has prayed about this decision for over a year. He’s not out to enrich himself. He’s simply asking Kenyans: If you believe in me, walk with me.”
Money in politics
The team likens Maraga’s grassroots campaign model to former US President Barack Obama’s historic run, where small-dollar donations powered a movement.
During Obama’s re-election, nearly two-thirds of his $86 million campaign war chest came from donations under $200.
“Every five bucks helped,” Obama famously said. “More than 98% of contributions were $250 or less, with an average of $46.92.”
Mwalimu warns that money and politics are deeply intertwined, especially in Africa.
“You can have all the ideas in the world, but without money, you struggle to deliver your message, mobilise crowds, and brand your campaign.”
It remains to be seen whether Maraga will be the breath of fresh air he promises, or just another well-meaning figure ultimately consumed by Kenya’s political machinery.