‘Gen Z President?’: Candidate Declares 2027 Bid With Bold Promise to Fight Graft, Police Brutality, and Mentor Youth

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has officially entered the 2027 presidential race, branding himself as the “Gen Z presidential candidate” in a bold move that has already stirred political circles across Kenya. 

In a revealing interview aired on NTV Wednesday night, Maraga spoke with striking conviction about his reasons for running, and his vision for Kenya’s future. “I am the Gen Z presidential candidate,” he declared. “We must mentor young people so that they take over from us.” 

This announcement marks a significant political shift, with Maraga stepping from the judiciary into the heated arena of electoral politics, pledging to challenge the status quo and address what he described as “budgeted corruption” and unchecked police brutality. 

Citing “serious reflection” and in-depth discussions with trusted allies, Maraga said the time had come for decisive leadership that would not allow Kenya to be “taken to doomsday.” 

“After serious reflection, I’ve made up my mind that I will run for the presidency of this country in 2027,” he told viewers. 

His tone was urgent and direct. Maraga painted a picture of a nation in moral crisis, promising to restore constitutional order and lead with integrity. He pointed out the entrenched system of political handouts, vowing never to buy votes. Instead, he made an open call to ordinary Kenyans to help fund his campaign, signaling a grassroots approach rarely seen in Kenyan presidential contests. 

Maraga’s two-pronged policy priority is ambitious: tackling systemic graft and ending police brutality. 

He acknowledged that targeting corruption would likely put him on a collision course with powerful elites. However, he exuded quiet confidence that his moral authority and legal background gave him the backbone to endure the backlash. 

“I will not shy away from confronting those protecting their corrupt empires,” he said, signaling a no-nonsense approach. 

Perhaps most striking was Maraga’s pledge to build a government of professionals, not political loyalists. “We need a team that will work—and I will provide leadership that lets professionals perform,” he asserted. 

In an era where tribal arithmetic and political cronyism often trump merit, Maraga’s technocratic vision could resonate with voters frustrated by decades of mismanagement. 

A career jurist, Maraga made it clear that returning Kenya to constitutionalism is at the heart of his campaign. “We need someone courageous enough to take initiative. I will follow the Constitution, and so will everyone else, including me,” he promised. 

This emphasis on law and order comes at a time when public trust in the justice system and the executive has been waning. 

Maraga joins a growing field of presidential hopefuls aiming to unseat President William Ruto in 2027. Other candidates already in the race include former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, and PLP leader Martha Karua. 

But with his reputation for integrity and bold populist messaging, Maraga might just become the unexpected disruptor in an already crowded contest. 

David Maraga’s bid is unlike any other. He isn’t offering handouts or hollow slogans. He’s offering what Kenya has long yearned for: leadership rooted in values, guided by law, and shaped by a belief in the next generation. 

Whether the electorate is ready for a candidate who rejects political theatrics in favor of constitutional order and professional governance remains to be seen. But one thing is clear, Maraga has thrown down the gauntlet.