Cold Reception As Maraga Launches His 2027 Presidential Campaign Fundraising Website

Former Chief Justice David Maraga’s ambitious entry into the 2027 presidential race has been met with skepticism and outright dismissal from political quarters, barely 24 hours after launching his campaign fundraising website on Friday.

The retired Chief Justice, who officially declared his presidential bid last month, unveiled an online platform inviting Kenyans both at home and in the diaspora to contribute as little as Ksh100 towards what he terms a “people-driven movement to Reset, Restore, and Rebuild Kenya.”

International supporters can donate from as low as five dollars, with contributions capped at Ksh50,000 locally and 25 dollars for diaspora Kenyans.

However, the fundraising approach has drawn sharp criticism from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, a close ally of President William Ruto, who questioned the viability of public fundraising in financing a serious presidential campaign.

Writing on his X platform on Saturday, Cherargei dismissed Maraga’s strategy as fundamentally flawed, arguing that “in Kenya, a fundraiser can never fund campaigns even of a Member of the County Assembly.”

The Senator referenced his earlier advice to Busia counterpart Okiya Omtatah, another presidential hopeful, emphasizing that “to run an effective Presidential campaign, you need at least seven billion shillings.”

Cherargei’s skepticism extended beyond mere numbers, questioning Maraga’s true intentions by drawing parallels with activist Morara Kebaso’s failed fundraising attempt for vehicle fuel.

“If Morara Kebaso was fundraising for fuel only, yet he could not manage, is Maraga looking for votes or money? Which is which?” he quipped.

Maraga’s modest financial contribution to his own campaign has become a point of contention.

During a recent Citizen TV interview, the former Chief Justice candidly admitted his limited resources, stating he would contribute “very little money, around Sh1 million or Sh2 million” because he doesn’t “have much money.”

This admission, while praised by some as refreshing honesty, has raised questions about his preparedness for the financial demands of a national campaign.

The digital platform, headquartered in Westlands, Nairobi, allows contributors to enter personal details and donation amounts while leaving optional messages of support.

Maraga has promised complete transparency in fund utilization, with contributions earmarked for grassroots mobilization, campaign events, digital outreach, and building a national volunteer network.
Any excess funds, he pledges, will be redirected to public causes.

Despite the cold reception from political circles, Maraga remains optimistic about ordinary Kenyans’ willingness to support his candidacy.

He has positioned his campaign as a grassroots movement driven by integrity, competence, and justice, targeting the youth and underrepresented communities who have borne the brunt of Kenya’s economic challenges.

The former Chief Justice’s political platform centers on fighting corruption and police brutality, issues that resonated strongly during his tenure at the helm of Kenya’s judiciary.

His decision to rely heavily on public funding represents a departure from traditional Kenyan politics, where well-funded candidates typically dominate the electoral landscape.

As the 2027 election cycle gradually takes shape, Maraga’s unconventional fundraising approach will serve as a litmus test for whether Kenyan voters are ready to financially back candidates who lack traditional political war chests.

The success or failure of his crowdfunded campaign could potentially reshape how future presidential aspirants approach campaign financing in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.

Whether Maraga’s faith in ordinary Kenyans’ generosity will translate into the billions required for a competitive presidential campaign remains to be seen, but his early critics suggest the path ahead will be significantly more challenging than the former Chief Justice anticipates.