Clearly identifiable (institutions, rights)
David Maraga
Chief Justice 2016 to 2021. United Green Movement (UGM) presidential candidate for 2027.
Never held executive power. Actions first; stated positions and reports count less.
What the record shows
- DLed the Supreme Court's 2017 decision annulling the presidential election, the first such ruling in Africa.
- DAdvised President Kenyatta in September 2020 to dissolve Parliament over the gender rule. The advisory was never acted on, and the High Court ruled it unconstitutional in June 2026.
- DDeclared his presidential bid on the UGM ticket on 2 October 2025.
- DArrested and released on 8 June 2026 during a Nairobi National Park protest.
- DBegan a three-week campaign tour of the United States on 17 September 2026.
- APolled 2% in Infotrak's June 2026 survey and 2.2% as preferred opposition flag-bearer in Mizani Africa's September 2026 poll.
- APetitions for his removal as Chief Justice alleged ethnic bias in hiring and attendance at Jubilee events. None succeeded.
On the issues voters rank highest
- SCost of living: Says the tax burden falls on low- and middle-income earners while revenue is lost to graft (April 2026).
- SYouth jobs: A Sh300 billion programme to put three million unemployed young people to work.
- DLeadership integrity: Led the Supreme Court majority that annulled the August 2017 presidential election.
In the order voters ranked them in Infotrak's December 2025 poll. Shown for reference; not used in matching.
What they say they would do
- Said they would'Reset, restore and rebuild' Kenya: constitutionalism, dignity and an end to police violence against protesters.Record so farSNo record in office yet. Counts as a stated position.
- Said they wouldA Sh300 billion programme to put three million unemployed young people to work.Record so farSNo record in office yet. Counts as a stated position.
Where the evidence points, by dimension
Institutions and power-sharing: Checks and devolution (high 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.
Civil liberties: Liberty-first (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.
Social values: Leans socially progressive (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.
Political style: Leans anti-establishment (medium 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.
Land, wealth and taxes: Leans strong redistribution (low confidence, stated position)
S 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).
Role of the state in the economy: Leans state-led (low confidence, stated position)
S UGM petitioned Parliament for a state-funded Sh300 billion youth jobs and cash-for-work programme.
What they appear to have stood for
A constitutionalist and rights-first reformer whose record is strongest on institutions and civil liberties. His economic positions are stated plans, not a record.
Compare side by side
Contradictions in the record
- IBuilt his name on strict procedure, yet his best-known act after 2017, the dissolution advisory, was found procedurally defective by the High Court (interpretation).
Sources (11)
- Nation: Maraga, 'This is my promise to change Kenya'
- Star: High Court rules Maraga advisory unconstitutional
- Capital FM: Maraga asks Kenyatta to dissolve Parliament (2020)
- Nation: Maraga arrested over Nairobi National Park protest
- People Daily: Maraga demands justice for slain protesters
- Capital FM: Maraga on tax and housing policy (April 2026)
- Eastleigh Voice: UGM's Sh300bn youth jobs petition
- Mwakilishi: Maraga's US tour
- Kenyans.co.ke: Infotrak poll, June 2026
- Capital FM: Mizani Africa poll, September 2026
- Wikipedia: David Maraga (overview)
How to read this page
Actions come first: laws, votes, decisions, court cases. Words count less, and only where the record is thin and not contradicted. A leader with real power now is judged on actions only. Tags: D documented, A attributed to a named source, I our interpretation, U not yet re-checked, S stated position, H hearsay. An allegation is not a finding. This is a research draft, not voting advice. Read the full method.