Former Chief Justice David Kenani Maraga has pledged to respect the rule of law and uphold constitutionalism if elected the sixth president of Kenya in the 2027 general election.

Maraga, who has officially transitioned from the judiciary to politics, has declared his intention to unseat President William Ruto in the next presidential polls. Known for his integrity and landmark rulings, the former CJ is presenting himself as a reformist leader intent on restoring constitutional order and dignity in governance.

In his Tuesday, September 9, 2025, campaign message, Maraga outlined his vision of a Kenya rooted in justice and humanity.

“A future with me as president is a future where the Kenyans will be allowed to run their own affairs. We are going to have a country where the rule of law will be followed. We are going to have a country where we are going to be humane, give back humanity to Kenyans. That’s why I have said that my philosophy is to follow what the Constitution requires us to follow.” He said.

Besides protecting humanity, the emeritus chief justice has continued to woo the electorate with a promise of upholding the constitution and its values.

The former CJ has so far gone outside to hunt for votes by doing media interviews, local barazas, and even, in some instances, going out to join public functions. In July 2025, he was among those who were teargassed for demanding justice for the victims of police brutality.

His bid

Maraga announced his presidential bid in June 2025, following consultations across the country. He emphasised that his candidacy is not driven by personal enrichment but by service to the people. His “Maraga’27” campaign slogan is structured around integrity, transparency, and constitutional fidelity.

In August, Maraga was inducted into the Katiba Roll of Honour by the civil societies on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The former CJ was honoured as a constitution defender on Wednesday, August 27, a date that has now taken a special place in Kenya’s civic calendar as Katiba Day, dedicated to commemorating the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

Following his recognition by civic organisers celebrating defenders of constitutionalism, Maraga accepted the induction while setting his sights on the 2027 presidency. “Ukatiba is my political ideology and philosophy through which we will reset Kenya to the rule of law and constitutionalism.” He said.

Born in 1951, Maraga served as Kenya’s 14th Chief Justice and presided over the Supreme Court from 2016 until his retirement in 2021. He is remembered for leading the Supreme Court ruling that nullified the 2017 presidential election, a bold decision that highlighted his conviction that national greatness rests on fidelity to the Constitution.