Retired Chief Justice David Maraga.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga, who is eyeing the presidency in the 2027 polls, has dismissed claims that he is a State-sponsored project, saying only time will tell.
Mr Maraga, who hails from the Gusii community, has been holding meetings with various stakeholders, mainly the youth, across the country to popularise his bid.
The community had initially fronted the former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for the top job, and so the purported entry of Mr Maraga into the presidential race is being interpreted by a section of the Gusii community members as a well-choreographed plot by the Kenya Kwanza government to divide the less populous Kisii vote.
But speaking on Sunday after worshipping at Kisii Town Parish Catholic Church, Mr Maraga downplayed the talks, saying that only Kenyans are capable of deciding who should lead them.
“Just relax. In due course, you will make up your mind whether or not I am a state project,” Mr Maraga told journalists after the service.
The retired CJ said that if he were to be asked today about the person he thinks is best placed to steer the country forward, his response would say that he is the one.
“Others would also say that they are the best suited. In the end, it is the Kenyan people who will make the choices,” Mr Maraga said.
The former CJ evaded most of the questions asked by the journalists, saying that he did not want to antagonise the church, which has been very vocal about politicians taking advantage of the pulpit to advance their political agenda.
About the ongoing reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Maraga said that he hopes that the ongoing exercise of selecting the electoral body’s chairman and its commissioners will be based on merit so that those who are competent and people of high integrity will be brought on board.
“We are praying that they select good people, honest people to deliver a free and fair election,” he said.
Since Friday, Mr Maraga has been camping in Migori and Kisii Counties, meeting Kenyans and other stakeholders.
Former Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.
On Friday, the former head of the Judiciary was a keynote speaker at a public lecture at Rongo University.
The lecture centred on the political pillars of governance, the significance of constitutionalism and the rule of law in shaping a just society.
On Saturday, the former CJ joined the faithful of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he is also a member, in Migori County before he crossed over to Kisii on Sunday.
wnyaberi@ke.nationmedia.com
