Biography
David Maraga
Chief Justice 2016 to 2021. United Green Movement (UGM) presidential candidate for 2027.
David Maraga was Kenya's Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021. Maraga's court annulled a presidential election in 2017, a first in Africa, and Maraga is now running for President in 2027. Born on 12 January 1951 in Bonyamatuta, Nyamira County. Age 75.
- Full name
- David Kenani Maraga
- Born
- 12 January 1951, Bonyamatuta, Nyamira County
- Party
- United Green Movement (UGM)
- Family
- A member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Education
- Kisii High SchoolA-levels
- University of NairobiLLB (1977) and LLM (2011)
- Kenya School of LawDiploma (1978)
Career
- 1978 to 2003Private practice in Nakuru
- 2003 to 2012High Court judge in Mombasa, Nakuru and Nairobi
- 2012 to 2016Court of Appeal judge, later presiding judge in Kisumu
- 2016 to 2021Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court
- 1 September 2017Led the Supreme Court majority that annulled the August 2017 presidential election
- 2020Advised the President to dissolve Parliament for failing to pass the two-thirds gender rule
- 2027 racePresidential candidate
Where Maraga stands
A constitutionalist and rights-first reformer whose record is strongest on institutions and civil liberties. His economic positions are stated plans, not a record.
- Institutions and power-sharing: Checks and devolution
- Civil liberties: Liberty-first
- Social values: Leans socially progressive
- Political style: Leans anti-establishment
- Land, wealth and taxes: Leans strong redistribution
- Role of the state in the economy: Leans state-led
- 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.
Placed mainly from what Maraga did, not what Maraga said. See the full record, with every source.
Common questions
Who is David Maraga?
David Maraga was Kenya's Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021. Maraga's court annulled a presidential election in 2017, a first in Africa, and Maraga is now running for President in 2027. Chief Justice 2016 to 2021. United Green Movement (UGM) presidential candidate for 2027.
How old is David Maraga?
Born on 12 January 1951 in Bonyamatuta, Nyamira County. Age 75.
What did David Maraga study?
LLB (1977) and LLM (2011) at University of Nairobi; Diploma (1978) at Kenya School of Law.
Which party is David Maraga in?
United Green Movement (UGM).
What does David Maraga stand 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.
Sources (1)
Facts above come from these sources. Where they disagree, we leave the detail out. Spotted an error? Send it in.