David Kenani Maraga is a Kenyan jurist best known for serving as the 14th Chief Justice (CJ) and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya. On 18 June 2025, the former CJ announced his bid to run for presidency in the 2027 general elections.

The former Chief Justice made headlines for joining Wednesday’s Gen-Z-led protests, an act that has drawn both praise and criticism across the political divide. On one hand, he is lauded for taking a stand against police brutality and demanding justice for lives lost during last year’s demonstrations. On the other, some members of the National Assembly have condemned him for allegedly misleading the youth.

Before making a political debut, Justice Maraga was a stalwart in the corridors of justice. He made history in 2017 when he presided over the Supreme Court ruling that annulled the presidential election results, becoming the first Chief Justice in Kenya, and in Africa, to nullify a sitting president’s win, citing irregularities. In 2020, he advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve Parliament over its failure to enact the gender parity rule. His tenure also saw friction with the Executive, most notably in a public standoff with President Kenyatta over the delayed appointment of 41 judges approved by the Judicial Service Commission in 2019.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Justice, Maraga held several key positions within the Judiciary. He served as the Resident Judge of the High Court in Nakuru from 2009 to 2010, followed by a posting as the Presiding Judge of the Family Division of the High Court in Nairobi between 2010 and 2011. From 2012 to 2014, he was appointed to the Court of Appeal, where he served as the presiding judge at the Kisumu station. In addition to his judicial duties, Maraga chaired the Judiciary Committee on Elections from 2015 to 2016, overseeing the Judiciary’s preparedness for resolving electoral disputes. He also chaired a tribunal appointed to investigate the conduct of a High Court judge between 2014 and 2016.

He was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in October 1978 and practised privately for 25 years, handling a range of matters, including civil and criminal litigation, as well as conveyancing. During this period, he also served as a judge at the Nakuru Agricultural Show Trade Stands (1985–1990). He joined the Kenyan Judiciary in 2003 as a High Court Judge, was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2012, and was later appointed Chief Justice in 2016 (a position he held until 2020) after emerging top among 10 high-calibre candidates. His appointment followed a public vetting process during which he famously declared on live television that he had never accepted a bribe.

He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Nairobi, and is also an alumnus of the University of London, where he pursued graduate legal studies. He began his education at Sironga DEB Primary School, where he studied from 1961 to 1967 and earned his Certificate of Primary Education (CPE). Following this, he attended Maranda High School from 1968 to 1971, where he obtained his East African School Certificate (O-Level). He then proceeded to Kisii High School from 1972 to 1973, where he completed his East African Advanced Certificate of Education (A-Level).

Justice Maraga retired in December 2020, leaving behind a legacy defined by bold judicial decisions, integrity, and steadfast adherence to the rule of law.