Former CJ David Maraga Details the Harrowing Backlash After Nullifying Uhuru’s Win
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has offered a candid look behind the judicial curtain, revealing the intense personal and professional turmoil he faced after leading the Supreme Court in its historic decision to nullify the 2017 presidential election of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. Speaking in a recent interview, Maraga described the period following the September 2017 ruling as one marked by fear, abuse, and heavy political pressure—a moment that tested the independence of the Kenyan Judiciary like never before.
Maraga recounted the immediate, severe public reaction to the ruling, which saw him and his family subjected to relentless threats and abuse from aggrieved sections of the public. The former CJ stated that the situation was compounded by President Kenyatta’s pointed public comment at the time that he would “revisit” the ruling—a sentiment that significantly exacerbated the tension and heightened his family’s fears.
“The responsibility the president said he would revisit, and my family were scared when I got threats of plans to attack me. It was heavy, and I got prepared for the backlash. I was abused left, right and centre,” Maraga disclosed, highlighting the harrowing emotional toll the decision exacted.
Despite the psychological trauma, Maraga confirmed that neither he nor his family members were subjected to any physical assault, though the feeling of being targeted remained acute.
Maraga firmly maintained that the landmark ruling was not politically motivated but was based purely on the constitutional requirements for a fair, just, and credible election, supported by the evidence presented.
The bench, led by Maraga, scrutinized the electoral process from its inception. “As we said in that judgment, elections are not an event; they are a process, starting from voter registration,” he explained. With a majority of four judges finding the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had neglected its constitutional duty to conduct a credible poll, the court made the unprecedented decision to nullify the result and order a fresh election within 60 days.
This decision was historic, marking the first time in Africa that a court had ever successfully overturned a presidential election result.
The recollections come as David Maraga himself prepares to enter the political arena, having announced his intentions to eye the presidency in the 2027 general elections. His current political ambition provides a new context to his past judicial actions, framing him as a figure who has already demonstrated a readiness to stand up to the highest political authorities—a trait he is likely to champion as he transitions from the bench to the ballot box.
