Former Chief Justice David Maraga has declared that he will run for the presidency in 2027, saying Kenya needs new leadership grounded in integrity, justice and accountability.

Speaking during an interview with NTV on Wednesday, Maraga said his decision to join active politics follows deep personal reflection and concern over the state of the country’s leadership, especially the use of force on unarmed civilians and the dominance of corrupt and ethnic-based politics.

“After serious reflection, I thought it was time we thought about the leadership of this country. We can’t let some people literally drag our country through the doors. As a result of that reflection, I have made up my mind that I will run in 2027 for the presidency of this country,” he said.

Maraga, who served as Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021, said recent events had shaken the conscience of many Kenyans, including himself. He condemned the excessive force used on young people protesting for justice and called it deeply worrying.

“This has come as a result of what has happened in the country. I am a parent, and so many others are parents. To see our young people being handled the way they have been handled is extremely worrying,” he said.

He urged Kenyans to reject leadership that relies on ethnicity and money, saying it is this culture that has led the country into crisis.

“My view is that I want to appeal to Kenyans that this politics of ethnicity, where you look at me as where I come from and how many voters are behind me, is what has brought us to where we are,” he said.

Maraga praised the youth for rejecting this system and called on Kenyans to resist being divided along ethnic lines. “Our young people have told us, and they have demonstrated, they are tired of this. This is what has caused Kenya to be in this mess. I trust that Kenyans this time round are not going to be balkanised into ethnic groups.”

He made it clear that he will not use his personal wealth or political handouts to gain support, promising instead to seek public contributions to fund his campaign.

“I am not going to require funds to dish out for people to vote for me because that is the reality that has brought this country to where we are. People with money buy your soul, and that’s the last you hear of them until the next election,” he said.

“I will make an appearance at an appropriate time for Kenyans to crowdfund for me for logistical expenses. And I’m convinced that is going to work.”

Responding to why Kenyans should trust him, Maraga pointed to his track record of professional integrity and institution-building.

“I’m a lawyer, but this country needs many other professionals. I will get a team of experts in various areas, put the right people in the right places, give them the confidence to work, and call them to account,” he said. “If I find someone who is not doing their job because they are waiting for me to tell them what to do, I’ll sack them.”

He criticised the collapse of public institutions, blaming it on government interference. “Our institutions have literally been broken down. We have no institutions because of interference from the government. People in key institutions are constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering what bwana mkubwa thinks. That must end,” he said.

On the electoral process, Maraga said he hopes the ongoing reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will lead to credible elections. “In my view, the law is there. The IEBC is being constituted. But there are issues that have been raised, and since they are in court, I won’t comment further,” he said.

He urged Kenyans to stay alert and defend their vote. “This time round, Kenyans are going to be extremely vigilant. If we all remain alert, even if there is rigging, it will not succeed,” he said.

He warned that if people keep voting for leaders who buy their way into power using stolen wealth, the country will not break free from its problems. “If we allow people who buy their way using billions stolen from us to lead, that is the problem. We’ll be stuck in a vicious cycle,” he said.

Maraga called on young people to take the lead in shaping the country’s future through active participation in elections. “I’m appealing to young people, especially, to ensure they register in large numbers and come out to vote. It is your constitutional right. It means your life, the lives of your children and grandchildren. It is important that we all vote,” he said.