Maraga stakes campaign on integrity, rejects handouts in presidential quest
Critics have dismissed his presidential bid, pointing to his lack of financial muscle, branding him poor, miserly, and a spoiler. Yet Maraga remains unfazed, openly fundraising from the very Kenyans whose votes he seeks.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga is on a mission.
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When The Eastleigh Voice visited his Karen home for an interview on Thursday morning, he spoke candidly as we explored his candidature and his quest to redeem Kenya from what he described as “total collapse”.
“The cornerstone of my campaign and advocacy to be elected as the President of this country is strict adherence to the Constitution and constitutionalism. The main reason why Kenya is plagued with so many ills is because leaders disregard the law,” said Maraga.
The former head of the Judiciary was categorical in his unflinching and passionate appeal to Kenyans, declaring that President William Ruto, like his predecessors, has failed Kenyans by disregarding the Constitution and therefore deserves no chance at reelection.
“The Constitution is the supreme guidance for everyone. If the leadership of the country blatantly disregards it by doing what suits them, then the people lose faith and trust. That is why I am urging Kenyans to elect me as their next president,” Maraga told us.
He stressed that integrity is key, declaring that he had never taken or given a bribe in his life and would not resort to bribery to win votes.
“In my entire life, I have never given or received a bribe. Even now that I am seeking the presidency, let me make it clear that I will not be giving handouts because that is morally wrong. The problems of this country begin when people accept bribes to elect leaders,” he said.
According to the former CJ, leaders who bribe voters inevitably turn out to be irredeemably corrupt, as they seek to recover the money spent on campaigns through public funds.
Should Kenyans entrust him with leadership, Maraga says his tenure would usher in radical transformation. He announced tough measures, particularly against public servants doing business with the government.
He believes civil servants must choose either to serve in government or pursue private business.
“The first thing I will do when I become president is to immediately introduce a law prohibiting civil servants from doing business with the government. They will have to choose, because this practice has been fueling corruption in the country,” said Maraga.
He questioned how some civil servants accumulate wealth exponentially upon entering office, lamenting that blatant theft of public resources continues to rob Kenya of its potential.
Maraga also expressed displeasure with President William Ruto’s administration over plans to privatise certain state corporations, such as the Kenya Pipeline Company. He suspects corruption in the process, noting that while he does not oppose privatisation in principle, he strongly rejects the manner in which it is being carried out.
“I do not have a problem with privatisation. I only hate how Ruto and his team are doing it. How, for instance, do you sell the Kenya Pipeline Company? That is a very strategic asset of the country that should not be left in private hands,” argued Maraga.
Critics have dismissed his presidential bid, pointing to his lack of financial muscle, branding him poor, miserly, and a spoiler. Yet Maraga remains unfazed, openly fundraising from the very Kenyans whose votes he seeks.
“It is true that I will be seeking help from Kenyans to fundraise for my campaigns. I have always believed that good leadership is about integrity and fidelity to the law, not the amount of money or manipulation of the electorate. Kenyans should shun leaders who come to them with money and empty promises,” Maraga said.
In his view, the love for ill-got wealth has fueled runaway corruption in the country. He insists that only a decisive break with this culture can reboot Kenya, but that will only happen if Kenyans entrust him with their vote.
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