Maraga Deepens Grassroots Strategy With Turkana Tour
The visit marks one of the clearest indications yet that the former Chief Justice is seeking to build his 2027 presidential campaign around governance reforms, economic justice and outreach to regions that have historically complained of neglect and underdevelopment.
By Staff Writer
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has intensified his grassroots presidential campaign with a three-day political tour of Turkana County, positioning himself as a voice for economically excluded communities amid mounting public frustration over unemployment, fuel prices and widening inequality.
Maraga, who is the United Green Movement (UGM) Party presidential flagbearer, is expected to begin the tour tommorrow, Friday, in a series of engagements that will culminate in a major public rally at Moi Gardens in Lodwar on Sunday under the banner of “Ukombozi Rallies.”
The visit marks one of the clearest indications yet that the former Chief Justice is seeking to build his 2027 presidential campaign around governance reforms, economic justice and outreach to regions that have historically complained of neglect and underdevelopment.
According to a statement from the David Maraga Presidential Campaign Secretariat, the former judiciary chief will meet community elders, youth representatives, faith leaders and opinion shapers during the three-day visit.
The tour comes at a time when many Kenyans are increasingly frustrated by the rising cost of fuel, high living expenses, youth unemployment and corruption, issues that have become central in the country’s evolving political debate.
Turkana, Kenya’s second-largest county by land mass, has long faced challenges linked to poverty, drought, unemployment and inadequate infrastructure despite the discovery of oil reserves and increased investment in renewable energy projects in recent years. Political analysts say visits by national leaders to the region often carry symbolic and strategic significance because of its history of marginalization and persistent demands for equitable development.
Maraga is also expected to tap into growing discontent among young people struggling with unemployment and the rising cost of living, concerns that have increasingly shaped political discourse across the country.
The launch of the “Ukombozi Rallies” appears designed to frame Maraga’s campaign around themes of accountability, equal opportunity and institutional reform. Residents of Turkana and neighboring counties have been invited to participate in what they described as a national conversation on governance and state capture.
Maraga, who served as Chief Justice between 2016 and 2021, has in recent months sharpened his criticism of corruption and governance failures, while presenting himself as an outsider capable of restoring integrity in public institutions.
His latest political push comes as early alignments and grassroots mobilization begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election, with political figures increasingly seeking support beyond traditional regional strongholds.
While it remains unclear how Maraga’s message will translate into national political support, observers say his decision to begin large-scale mobilization efforts in northern Kenya reflects an attempt to connect with voters who feel excluded from the country’s economic gains and political decision-making.
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