Former Chief Justice David Maraga takes his integrity crusade to the marginalized north, opening a strategic command center in Wajir as he lays the groundwork for a thunderous 2027 presidential assault.

In the scorching heat of Wajir, a new political wind is blowing. David Maraga, the man who once shook the continent by nullifying a presidential election, is back in the arena—not as a judge, but as a gladiator. The leader of the United Green Movement (UGM) has officially opened a party office in Wajir County, a deliberate and symbolic move to court the vast, often-ignored vote bank of Northern Kenya. His message was stark, simple, and stinging: "Things are not going well."

The Sermon on the Desert

Addressing a gathered crowd of locals who have grown weary of empty promises, Maraga did not mince words. He tapped into the visceral frustration of a region that has felt marginalized since independence. "I am here as a presidential candidate for 2027," he declared, his voice carrying the same gravity that once commanded the Supreme Court. He spoke of the untapped potential of the North—the wind, the sun, the livestock—and the criminal negligence that has left the region poor.

"Why are we still talking about lack of water in 2026?" Maraga posed, striking a chord with the residents. "Why is the road to Ethiopia still a dream? These are not acts of God; they are acts of bad governance."

• The Infrastructure Promise: Maraga pinpointed the road connectivity to Ethiopia as a game-changer for trade, promising that a UGM government would unlock the cross-border markets that could transform Wajir into a commercial hub.
• The Integrity Card: In a political landscape littered with corruption scandals, Maraga is betting that his clean reputation will be his strongest currency. He is selling not just policy, but character.
• The Grassroots Strategy: By opening physical offices in the counties, UGM is signaling that it is building a machine, not just a movement. They are putting boots on the ground long before the campaign window officially opens.

A Warning Shot to Nairobi

Maraga’s presence in Wajir is a warning shot to the establishment in Nairobi. The North has traditionally been treated as a swing vote to be bought, not a constituency to be served. Maraga is attempting to change that calculus. He is offering a partnership based on the Equalisation Fund and constitutional rights, rather than handouts.

As the UGM colors were hoisted over the new office, the locals watched with a mix of hope and skepticism. They have seen politicians come and go. But Maraga is different; he is a man who has proven he can say "No" to power. The question now is whether he can convince the people of Wajir to say "Yes" to him in 2027.