Presidential hopeful and former Chief Justice David Kenani Maraga has announced that he will be seeking to succeed President William Ruto at the State House using the United Green Movement Party.
The developments were followed by the unveiling of the retired senior judge at the party's headquarters in Nairobi, where Maraga said that he will now embark on the popularisation and strengthening of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
''I accepted the call to join this party because it aligns with my personal principles and ideologies on a wide range of matters. This includes matters on the rule of law, respect for human rights and democratic governance, among others,'' Maraga stated while accepting the party's colours at the Green Action House in Nairobi.
Adding that: ''I have committed to building and restoring the dignity of Kenyans as well as protecting our human rights.''
The party is associated with politician Neto Agostinho, who serves as the co-party leader alongside other politicians, and has been in existence since Neto defected from the Orange Democratic Movement.
Neto was elected Member of Parliament for the Ndhiwa Constituency, running on an ODM ticket, in a by-election in September 2012 and served till August 2017.
Maraga, who has been rallying support from Kenyans, particularly Gen Z, has actively attended political events organised by the party, the most recent being in Kwale during the official launch of the UGM Kwale County office in June.
Meanwhile, Maraga has committed to strengthening the party in a bid to clinch the presidency as well as ensure that it gets majority seats in the next elections.
Previously, the retired CJ has positioned himself as the Gen Z presidential candidate, stressing the need to mentor young people.
Maraga's plan to mobilise funds from Kenyans of good goodwill to fund his presidential race has, in the past, attracted mixed reactions from the public. He has, in the past, however, clarified that he would be putting in what he described as a relatively small amount of money, between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million, into the campaign.
Maraga's Response to Ruto
In the meantime, the former CJ has dismissed President Ruto’s remarks over his recent comments, clarifying that his statement on the state of the nation was misinterpreted. He maintained that his concern was grounded in the events of the recent Gen Z protests.
''The President distorted what I said. I didn’t say Kenya is a failed state. I said that Kenya is sliding toward being a failed state based on what happened during the Gen Z protests,'' Maraga stated.
Ruto had slammed him for referring to Kenya as a failed state despite having served in the government, notably within the Judiciary.
