Kisii SDA elders convinced Maraga to run in 2027 – Havi

It took a lot of convincing by Kisii SDA Church elders for former Chief Justice David Maraga to express interest in the presidency, the Star has learnt.

Law professionals and civil society actors were also involved.

Former Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi, who first mooted the idea, told the Star that he used Maraga's close aides to get to him.

Maraga was initially hesitant, and flatly rejected coming out of his retirement to engage in politics, he said.

It is at this point that Havi sent church elders.

“I first broached the idea of having Kenani Maraga run for the presidency and I believe he is the man to return the country to the firm path of the rule of law,” he said.

“We believed that being a church elder himself, he could listen to his colleagues because he respects them too. It is at this point that his reluctance started thawing."

Havi said he toyed with the idea of confronting Ruto at the ballot but opted not to because “many people consider me too aggressive and may have created many enemies".

He said before settling on Maraga, his predecessor former chief justice Willy Mutunga cited his age and past stint in activism as obstacles.

“I was with Ahmednassir Abdullahi when I approached Mutunga and asked him to run but he said he had sacrificed enough for Kenyans and wanted to enjoy his retirement in peace. He felt that other Kenyans could step up,” he said.

Despite Maraga’s age, Havi believed he is the right person to take over power owing to his track record of upholding the rule of law.

“I understand the concern about the chief justice’s age but we are not looking for an energetic President to lead us to war. We are not looking for an aggressive president. We just want one who will restore the rule of law, do justice by the Kenyan people and uphold the constitution. After all, the current one is energetic and we know where are as a country,” he said.

Maraga’s strategy is to galvanise the Gen Z vote and his candidature answers the hunger for good leadership.

“Not just Gen Z, but now we are broadening it to Gen zote. We want everyone on board for this agenda to succeed,” Havi said.

“We are not looking for an individual who is overly ambitious and having insatiable appetite for wealth and property. Maraga is such a person. He has served to highest pinnacle in this country, lived his all and is not thirsty for this land or that property like we see today.” 

“With that, his decision will not be dictated by personal interest. He will not see any project as an opportunity for his enrichment,” the lawyer said.

Besides his progressive outreach activities, Havi said, Maraga’s approach is still under detailed planning.

“We know we cannot outsmart President Ruto in media navigation, public rallies and propaganda, but we will bring the battle to his doorstep through carefully thought out approaches that resonate with the many. Majority of Kenyans are tired of sweet talks and overbearing ethnic Balkanisation,” he said.