Former Chief Justice and presidential hopeful David Maraga says he will return to the ballot should the 2027 polls be nullified, exuding confidence in his presidential bid.
Speaking to TNX Africa, Maraga affirmed his commitment to the rule of law, saying he is not an exception.
“If the results are nullified, we will go back to what the constitution provides. When we nullified the election, everyone was watching to see whether I would vote. We nullified the results and ordered that the repeat elections be done within 60 days as provided for by the law. You don’t order what you’re not going to do yourself,” he said.
On what sets him apart, Maraga said his leadership would bring a new approach to governance.
“I bring on board a completely different management. One that takes into account the requirements of the country, what the people of Kenya want, and what they require. Not what the leaders want,” he said.
David Maraga: I am one of the Chief Justices who faced the greatest pressure because of the 2017 judgment. Some people questioned why I behaved the way I did. But for me, in order to uphold the Constitution, I had no option but to annul and reject the election. After that, budget… pic.twitter.com/ya8fht76W7
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) July 2, 2025
When asked about navigating Kenya’s complex political landscape, he responded: “My campaign style is going to be different. There are times when you will move around the country. For now, I am having meetings with people, going to where they are, and listening to them.”
Maraga, Kenya’s 14th Chief Justice and former President of the Supreme Court, is widely remembered for his landmark ruling that nullified the 2017 presidential election; a first in Kenya and Africa.
Appointed to the High Court in 2003 and later to the Court of Appeal in 2012, he held key roles including Presiding Judge in Kisumu and Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee on Elections. Throughout his career, he championed judicial independence.
The defining moment of his tenure came on September 1, 2017, when the Supreme Court, under his leadership, annulled the presidential election results, citing irregularities brought forth in a petition by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The court ruled that the election "was not conducted in accordance with the Constitution" and ordered a fresh vote within 60 days.
The decision was both praised and criticized, but was largely seen as a bold affirmation of the judiciary’s independence.
His now-famous declaration, "The greatness of any nation lies in its fidelity to its Constitution and adherence to the rule of law and, above all, respect to God," continues to define his legacy.
In 2020, he also advised the President to dissolve Parliament for failing to enact the two-thirds gender rule.