Former Chief Justice David Maraga has taken the United Green Movement youth mentorship to Kisumu in a bid to woo the country’s young people to take up leadership roles.

Taking to X on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, while in Kisumu, Maraga, who is seeking Kenya’s presidency in the 2027 general election under the ticket of UGM, said the youth are the country’s future and the strongest hope for restoring order and dignity.

Maraga in Kisumu

”I’m excited to be in Kisumu over the next few days to lead the UGM Party. Young Aspirants Training. The United Green Movement believes in our young people – not just as participants, but as leaders. You are the future of our Republic, and our strongest hope for restoring order, integrity and constitutionalism through Ukatiba. The work begins now,” Maraga said.

In his campaign that comenced in November 2025, Maraga has been urging the youth to seize the opportunity by joining UGM and initiate change in governance by vying for different political seats in the forthcoming general election.

In the public notice issued on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, UGM invited the youth from across all 47 counties to register and express interest in contesting for various elective positions. These include governor, senator, woman representative, member of the National Assembly, and county assembly positions.

According to the announcement, UGM aims to nurture and empower the next generation of political leaders who can bring new energy, accountability, and inclusivity into Kenya’s governance.

Registered participants will take part in an in-person session where they will help develop a National Campaign Accountability Charter, a framework that will guide UGM’s strategy and ensure transparency throughout the campaign process.

Ruto failing the youth

Lately, David Maraga has also been arguing that the current regime has failed its youth, adding that President William Ruto has lost his legitimacy as the nation’s leader.

Maraga noted that for a president to preside over orders that are meant to harm young people is a true revelation that he has failed in his mandate. He referred to President William Ruto’s failure in office during the June 2024 anti-finance bill protests that left scores dead and dozens injured as protesters were met with the harsh brutality of the police.

”If you can issue shooting orders against young people going to the streets to protest the finance bill, then you have lost the legitimacy as the President,” Maraga noted.