Maraga rules out working with President Ruto, open to alliance with Gachagua

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has firmly ruled out the possibility of collaborating with President William Ruto, even if such an alliance would be in the best interests of the country.

In an interview on Wednesday at Radio Maisha, Maraga emphasised that his core values clash with those of President Ruto, making any cooperation impossible.

“How can I work with him (Ruto)? We can’t work together because his values are completely different from mine,” Maraga said.

While he categorically rejected working with Ruto, Maraga signalled a willingness to engage with other political figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has also expressed his ambitions for the presidency.

However, Maraga made it clear that any potential alliance with Gachagua would be contingent on a shared commitment to the rule of law and service to the Kenyan people.

“Gachagua, we will sit down and see what they want to do for the people of Kenya. If it is to do with what we want to do for Kenyans, then we can work together. I am open to it. But if his character and record do not follow the law, it will be difficult to work with him,” Maraga asserted.

Maraga, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the Ruto-led administration, noted that his decision to run for the presidency in 2027 was born out of a deep concern for the country's governance.

He has positioned himself as an alternative to President Ruto, offering what he describes as clean, accountable, and ethical leadership.

“It is the way things are run in this country. If we all stay back and watch, we will find ourselves drowning in the Indian Ocean. Everyone will suffer. We should not let those in power mess the country up while we are watching,” he warned.

While he is yet to declare which party he will use to seek the presidency, Maraga has repeatedly stated that he is committed to bringing about change in Kenya’s leadership.

He made it clear that any political alliances he enters into will be based on shared principles of transparency, honesty, and adherence to the rule of law.

"Any partnership must align with my core vision of honest, transparent governance and strict adherence to the rule of law," he said.

Regarding the 2027 elections, Maraga has expressed concerns over the integrity of the electoral process. He called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.

“All the IEBC has to do is simply follow the laws. Every polling station should not have more than 700 people, and if it is 700, how much time is it for them to be done with voting? Hardly an hour or two; this will help to curb a lot,” he said.

He also suggested that election forms should be mounted on walls and photographed for further transparency.

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• President William Ruto
• Rigathi Gachagua
• David Maraga
• IEBC
• 2027 general election
• Maraga rules out working with President Ruto
• open to alliance with Gachagua

As the political landscape heats up with the 2027 elections on the horizon, Maraga's remarks also coincide with Gachagua’s declaration of his candidacy for the presidency, despite ongoing legal challenges surrounding his impeachment.

Gachagua remains confident of his eligibility, claiming that the Constitution guarantees his right to vie for office.

“I am qualified, and I have support. The Constitution guarantees your right to vie for elective office even if you have been convicted, if you have not exhausted the remedies available in law,” Gachagua stated.