Former Chief Justice David Maraga during the Opening of a Unit Green Movement Party Office in Kangundo. Photo by Virginia Siebella. 
By Virginia Siebella
Former Chief Justice has declared corruption and the theft of public resources as the greatest threats facing Kenya, promising a no-nonsense crackdown that would see even his closest allies jailed if found culpable.
Speaking on Thursday in after officially opening a party office for the , the 2027 presidential hopeful said runaway corruption was directly responsible for the suffering of ordinary Kenyans.
“Because of corruption, we do not have medicines in our hospitals. Because of corruption, children are unable to go to school as they should. Because of corruption, roads and development projects are stalled,” Maraga told supporters.
He decried the inflation of public project costs, noting that contracts often balloon to double their original budgets due to graft.
“When a project is supposed to cost ten million shillings, it ends up costing twenty million. That is the challenge we are facing in Kenya,” he said.
Maraga pledged to immediately halt the theft of public funds if elected president, promising firm and decisive action against those who misuse government resources.
“Give me an opportunity, and I will stop the theft of public funds at once,” he declared. “It will not matter whether those involved are my allies or not.”
The former Chief Justice emphasized that integrity would be the cornerstone of his administration, assuring Kenyans that neither he nor his associates would exploit public office for personal gain.
“I will not steal your resources myself. My community will not create companies to siphon public funds. I will not allow my friends to steal public resources,” he said, adding that leaders elected under his watch would be required to strictly adhere to the law.
In a pointed warning, Maraga stated that any official found engaging in corruption would face arrest, regardless of their political standing or personal relationship with him.
On healthcare, he said his administration would streamline the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) systems to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure citizens receive treatment without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
“I want a situation where you walk into a hospital, receive treatment, and go back home without struggles,” he said.
Maraga also committed to safeguarding funds allocated to education, vowing to ensure that money meant for schools reaches its intended purpose so that children can learn in conducive environments.
Calling for unity among leaders and citizens opposed to graft, he said he was ready to work with like-minded individuals across the political divide to tackle corruption head-on.
“We will unite with those who strongly oppose corruption and the theft of public resources. Together, we will take firm action and move this country forward,” he said.
Maraga concluded his address on a hopeful note, expressing confidence that decisive action against corruption would set Kenya on a path to recovery.
“If we do this, Kenya will heal,” he said.
