Maraga says 2024 Gen Z protests inspired his presidential bid
By Nancy Marende, November 25, 2025Former Chief Justice David Maraga has revealed that the 2024 Gen Z protests played a key role in inspiring him to run for president.
Speaking during an interview with Obinna TV Extra on Monday, November 24, 2025, Maraga cited the treatment of young Kenyans during the demonstrations as a wake-up call.
“I had never aspired to be a politician. We can’t all be politicians; some people have to do other things. But what I saw last year shocked me: young people being shot like rats. As a country, I couldn’t believe we could allow that,” Maraga stated.
The protests, he noted, arose from grievances over the Finance Bill, yet instead of engaging with the youth, authorities responded with excessive force.
“Then, after a short while, you are being told to shoot them in the legs. I said, ‘Are we in Kenya? Are we a country?’ I have never heard that from anybody, let alone the president of a country. I said, “This is not right.”,” he added.
Maraga recounted discussions with friends who encouraged him to consider leadership.
“I had discussions with friends, and they say Maraga come and run, I mean, they know I’m firm. I mean, I live in this country, and I have said this many times: we have one of the best constitutions in the world; implementation of it is where the problem is,” he said.
Presidential bid
Maraga confirmed that he will heed the call from Kenya’s youth to run for the presidency in 2027. He revealed that young people across the country have urged him to step into the political arena, citing his leadership qualities and exemplary past performance as key reasons for his candidacy.
Speaking at a consultative meeting in Nyamira on Monday, April 2, 2025, Maraga sought approval from local opinion leaders and well-known political figures, who have promised their unwavering support for his presidential bid. The meeting marked the first of many county hall consultations, with Maraga intending to visit all 47 counties to build the necessary momentum for his campaign.
“This is our first county hall consultation meeting to beseech for your approval and blessing to be assured that you will rally behind me till the D-day in 2027. We will be conducting similar meetings in all the 47 counties, and soon we will put in place functional structures to enable us to fulfil all the requirements expected of one to run for a political seat in this country,” he said.