Former Chief Justice David Maraga’s path toward considering a presidential bid was paved by persistent persuasion from Kisii SDA Church elders and key figures in Kenya’s legal and civil society circles. According to former Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi, Maraga was initially opposed to any political involvement post-retirement, but the intervention of church elders helped shift his stance due to his strong respect for spiritual leadership.
Havi, who first floated the idea, said Maraga embodies the integrity and commitment to the rule of law that many Kenyans yearn for in a leader. He noted that Maraga’s track record, combined with his lack of personal ambition for wealth or power, makes him the right candidate to counter the current political narrative. The emerging strategy, Havi said, aims to mobilise both Gen Z and broader voter demographics under a platform of justice, accountability, and constitutionalism—marking a deliberate contrast to traditional campaign theatrics and personality-driven politics.
