The man who once nullified a presidential election is now asking Kenyans to elect him. Retired Chief Justice David Maraga has officially entered the 2027 arena, armed not with a manifesto of promises, but with a ledger of receipts.

In a disclosure that has sent ripples through the political establishment, Maraga revealed today that his nascent campaign has raised KES 7.7 million. It is a modest sum compared to the billions washed through Kenyan politics, but the source of the funds is the real story. A staggering KES 6 million—nearly 80% of the total—has come from the Kenyan diaspora. This is not just money; it is a vote of confidence from Kenyans abroad who have grown weary of the "business as usual" politics at home.

The #UkatibaCaravan

"We are not buying voters; we are investing in citizens," Maraga declared on his X platform, releasing a line-by-line breakdown of the 1,834 individual contributors. The funds are earmarked for the #UkatibaCaravan, a nationwide civic education tour designed to "reawaken the sovereign power of the people."

Maraga’s strategy is unconventional. By bypassing the traditional tribal kingpins and appealing directly to the "Wanjiku" through the lens of constitutionalism, he is attempting to replicate the moral authority he commanded from the bench. His message is simple: Kenya doesn't need a new leader; it needs a new software—a return to the rule of law.

• The Diaspora Disconnect: The heavy reliance on diaspora funding highlights a critical divide. While Maraga is a hero to the intellectual elite and the diaspora for his 2017 stance, his grassroots network in the villages remains untested. His opponents will undoubtedly paint him as a project of "foreign interests," disconnected from the daily struggles of the hustler.
• A Moral Test: In a political landscape defined by handouts and helicopters, Maraga’s transparency is a radical act. But transparency doesn't buy loyalty in Kenyan politics. The question remains: can a man who speaks in the language of statutes connect with a youth demographic hungry for jobs and immediate economic relief?

From Bench to Ballot

History is not on his side. Technocrats and moralists—from Peter Kenneth to Martha Karua—have often faltered at the ballot box, crushed by the ethnic mobilization machines. Yet, Maraga is different. He has already proven he can stand alone against the state. As he gears up to tour the 47 counties, he carries the ghost of 2017 with him—a reminder that he is the one man who looked power in the eye and didn't blink.

The race for 2027 has just gained a wildcard. He may not have the deepest pockets, but David Maraga has something money can't buy: a track record of integrity that scares the establishment to its core.