Presidential hopeful David Maraga has ruled out the possibility of working with President William Ruto, stressing that their political ideology does not align.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, with a local FM station, the retired Chief Justice reiterated that he is open to a political alliance with like-minded politicians as he seeks to ascend to the presidency.
“Ruto will be voted out, so I cannot work with him. His values are completely different from mine,” he responded.
He also discussed working with other politicians who have expressed interest in the top seat, such as Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
“I am open; we will sit down and look at people’s vision and see whose aligns with us. But if one’s record, aspiration, and vision do not match with ours, then it will be difficult to work hand in hand,” he posited.
His remarks come after he challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) on the importance of electoral integrity heading to the decisive 2027 polls.
Maraga noted that the electoral body should ensure a free and fair process in what he described as being among the most competitive in Kenya’s history.
“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 proposed that vote counting should be conducted openly, suggesting, “While counting, I know that Gen Z will be there to make sure that every candidate gets their right votes; the forms that are thereafter filled, I suggest that they should even be mounted on the walls, and photos taken for transparency, to avoid getting results contrary to the forms filled.”
His remarks come amid a heightened focus on the upcoming polls that recently saw the entrance of Rigathi Gachagua, who declared himself the frontrunner in Kenya’s 2027 presidential race.
Despite the legal battles surrounding his impeachment, Gachagua insisted that he remains eligible to contest.
“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. The Supreme Court has not made a ruling on my impeachment.”
