David Maraga vs Babu Owino

UGM petitioned Parliament for a state-funded Sh300 billion youth jobs and cash-for-work programme. (low confidence)

Has repeatedly said education should be free from primary to university, funded by the state, and that higher-education loans should be raised, not cut. His own stated position; he has not yet delivered it in office. (low confidence)

Says the tax burden falls on low- and middle-income earners while revenue is lost to graft, and called the government's tax policy 'economic terrorism' (April 2026). (low confidence)

Voted no on the Finance Bill 2024 at second reading in June 2024. (medium confidence)

His 2020 advisory sought to enforce the constitutional rule that no more than two-thirds of Parliament be of one gender. His personal faith (Seventh-day Adventist) is not counted. (medium confidence)

As Chief Justice he led the Supreme Court majority that annulled the August 2017 presidential election, and in September 2020 advised the President to dissolve Parliament for failing to pass the two-thirds gender law. In June 2026 a five-judge High Court bench ruled that advisory premature and procedurally unconstitutional. (high confidence)

Left the bench for opposition politics on a small party outside the main coalitions. As a former head of the Judiciary he is not an outsider in the usual sense. (medium confidence)

Left ODM to run for Nairobi governor under The Mwananchi Party within the Linda Mwananchi formation. (medium confidence)

Marched with families of protest victims in July 2025 and was tear-gassed. Arrested on 8 June 2026 at a protest against excising Nairobi National Park land, and refused to leave the police station until the others held were released. (medium confidence)

Youth-facing, rights-forward public messaging. (low confidence)