Former Chief Justice David Maraga has explained why he is seeking to become the country's sixth president in 2027.
Speaking on Wednesday, Maraga said it is a result of the many things that have been going wrong in the country.
He said his bid was especially fuelled by the need to fix Kenya.
"This has come as a result of what has been happening in the country. To see our young people being handled the way they have been handled is something that is extremely worrying," he said on NTV.
Maraga said he made the decision after consultations with various people, including friends and other people.
He said that it is not right to allow people in leadership to allow the country to be in the poor state it is currently in.
“After discussion with friends and others and after serious reflection I thought it is time we think about the leadership of this country. We can’t let some people literally throw our country to the dogs.
“We need to think about that seriously, and it is as a result of that reflection that I have made up my mind that I will run for the presidency in 2027.”
This is the first time Maraga has publicly declared that he is going for the country’s top seat in the next general elections.
Despite not having made a public declaration, his recent activities have indicated that he was going for the presidency.
Over the past several months, the former CJ has been meeting various groups of people, including youths from across different parts of the country, for consultations.
He has also been at the forefront in calling out the Kenya Kwanza administration for some of its policies and the way it has handled certain issues that affect the republic.
In a recent town hall meeting in Dandora, Maraga vowed to end what he described as a culture of stealing Kenyans’ money if elected President in 2027.
He claimed that most of Kenya’s problems are self-inflicted, largely due to rampant theft of public resources by a few individuals who have enriched themselves at the nation's expense.
Maraga said his first priority would be to end the widespread impunity surrounding the theft of public funds.
"We are here as a country because of the theft of public funds. If we stop that, you won't see doctors and teachers protesting on the streets. Government employees will be paid on time and our hospitals won't lack medicine,” Maraga said.
“If we deal with corruption, Kenya will make progress, and we shall eliminate many of the challenges we are facing.”
