Former Chief Justice David Maraga has declared an aggressive anti-corruption campaign should he ascend to the presidency, promising to make public officers answerable directly to citizens for every coin entrusted to them.
Speaking in Tana River County during a public meeting with residents, the retired Chief Justice described corruption as Kenya’s “biggest cancer,” saying it has crippled national growth, deepened poverty, and eroded trust in government institutions.
Mr Maraga urged Kenyans to trust him with the country’s finances, promising to turn Kenya into a first-world economy within his first term in office.
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He said his leadership would be anchored on transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance.
“When you elect me, I want you to know that your money will be safe. If a shilling is stolen in your name, the person responsible will answer to you publicly. I will make them explain to Kenyans, face to face, why they failed to deliver,” he said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The former Chief Justice said he would not tolerate corruption in his administration, noting that any Cabinet Secretary or senior government official implicated in graft would be immediately dismissed and prosecuted.
“My government will have zero tolerance for corruption. If any of my Cabinet Secretaries or officers are found stealing public money, I will not protect them. They will face the law and the people,” he said.
Mr Maraga likened his envisioned leadership style to that of the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli, whose tenure was marked by austerity, discipline, and an aggressive war against corruption and wastage of public resources.
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He said Kenyans have become accustomed to “tough talk and loud noise” from politicians with no tangible results, arguing that the country now needs a leader of action, not rhetoric.
“We have had too much talk in this country. Leaders shout loudly, threaten corruption, and then go quiet after getting into power. Kenyans have come to interpret noise as political strength. I want to prove to you that leadership is not about shouting but about taking action,” he said.
Mr Maraga dismissed claims that he is too soft for the rough-and-tumble of politics, warning that those who mistake his calm demeanour for weakness will be surprised once he assumes office.
“Some people think I am soft because I speak calmly. But remember, it was not a coward who annulled a presidential election in 2017. That decision was one of the most dangerous and difficult in Kenya’s history. I took it because it was the right thing to do,” he said.
Chief Justice David Maraga (right) and his deputy Philomena Mwilu at the Supreme Court on November 14, 2017. The Maraga-led Supreme Court nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election and ordered a repeat vote.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In 2017, the Supreme Court under Maraga made a historic ruling that nullified the presidential election, citing irregularities and illegalities in the electoral process — a decision that shook the political establishment and cemented his image as a man of principle and courage.
Mr Maraga also recalled his decision recommending the dissolution of Parliament in 2020 for failing to enact the two-thirds gender rule, saying it was another act of bravery that tested his resolve in the face of political hostility.
“When I advised the President to dissolve Parliament for failing to meet the gender rule, I knew it would trigger a war. It meant many MPs could lose their seats mid-term. But I stood by the law and by the Constitution. That is who I am — firm, fair, and guided by justice,” he said.
He said those two moments in his judicial career are proof that he is not a man easily intimidated by political pressure, emphasising that his presidency would be built on the same foundation of integrity, courage, and independence.
Mr Maraga added that corruption remains the single biggest obstacle to Kenya’s progress, costing the country billions in lost development opportunities every year.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga at the Supreme Court buildings in Nairobi on May 24, 2021 during the assumption of office ceremony of Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“We cannot become a first-world economy if corruption continues to eat away our resources. My administration will prioritize systems that prevent theft before it happens, not just punish after the fact,” he said.
The retired CJ’s message appeared to resonate strongly with residents, many of whom expressed admiration for his record of integrity in public service.
If elected, Mr Maraga said his administration would focus on building efficient infrastructure, improving service delivery, and promoting merit-based leadership.
“Kenya is rich in potential. What we lack is discipline and honesty in leadership. I will fix that,” he said.
Mr Maraga’s entry into active politics is expected to stir debate on the country’s moral direction and governance standards.
His promise to hold corrupt officials publicly accountable, in front of the people whose money they steal, could redefine Kenya’s political discourse in the run-up to the next general election.
