Retired Chief Justice David Maraga has declared war on corruption, making it the centerpiece of his 2027 presidential campaign. Speaking during a town hall meeting in Dandora, Nairobi, on May 5, Maraga decried the rampant theft of public resources, blaming it for Kenya’s deep-rooted economic and social problems.
“We are here as a country because of the theft of public funds,” Maraga said. “If we stop that, you won’t see doctors and teachers protesting on the streets. Government employees will be paid on time and our hospitals won’t lack medicine.”
Maraga criticized the culture of impunity that has allowed the misappropriation of public money to flourish. He emphasized that the first step toward national recovery is to end systemic corruption, which he described as self-inflicted sabotage. He added that basic public services such as healthcare continue to suffer because budgeted resources rarely reach the ground.
“In this country, money is allocated in the budget, but when you look around at what that money has accomplished, you have to ask yourself whether it was put to good use,” he stated. “It’s because of theft of public resources that we don’t even have basic drugs like painkillers in public hospitals.”
The former Chief Justice has been increasingly visible on the campaign trail, holding grassroots meetings and engaging with young people through platforms like X Spaces. At the Dandora event, organized by the Social Justice Centres Working Group, Maraga listened to citizens’ concerns, promising to restore the rule of law, revive the economy, and renew public trust in leadership.
He also urged young Kenyans to register as voters, asserting that meaningful change will only come through the ballot.
Despite his rising popularity, Maraga faces a tough road ahead. Political heavyweights have already started solidifying their bases ahead of the 2027 race. In his Gusii homeland, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is reportedly seeking the opposition ticket to challenge President William Ruto, setting up what could be a high-stakes political battle.
Maraga’s message is clear: he wants to reset Kenya’s governance by ending theft and enforcing accountability a promise that could resonate with a public weary of corruption scandals.
