Former Chief Justice David Maraga has announced plans to roll out a nationwide campaign aimed at protecting election results ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying Kenya must act now to safeguard the credibility of future polls following the events witnessed during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Friday, Maraga unveiled the LindaKura initiative, saying the campaign will focus on protecting the integrity of election results and strengthening legal safeguards that govern the electoral process.
He said the campaign will build on a High Court ruling that affirmed election results declared at polling stations are final, adding that the initiative is intended to strengthen public confidence in Kenya's electoral process before the 2027 elections.
“In the coming weeks, my campaign will launch the #LindaKura initiative to consolidate the gains in the High Court ruling confirming that elections as announced at the polling station are final.”
Maraga announced the initiative while reflecting on the recently concluded Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Waweru defeated United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah by a wide margin.
He congratulated the voters of Ol Kalou, saying they stood their ground despite what he described as intimidation during the election.
“I applaud the people of Ol Kalou, who endured intimidation with more courage and for standing firm.”
According to Maraga, the by-election offered an important lesson for the country as preparations begin for the 2027 General Election.
The former Chief Justice, who presided over landmark election petitions during his time at the Supreme Court, said he could not remain silent while the principles of free and fair elections were being weakened.
“I have sat as Chief Justice of this Republic and adjudicated on what a free and fair election means. I will not now stand by and watch that standard be quietly buried ahead of the 2027 elections.”
He maintained that the Ol Kalou contest was about more than choosing a Member of Parliament, describing it as an early warning of what the country could face during the next General Election.
“Ol Kalou was not a local contest. It is a rehearsal for 2027, and Kenyans must see it as such.”
Maraga's latest remarks come days after he condemned violence reported during the by-election, where journalists covering the exercise were attacked by hooded gunmen.
He said attacks on members of the media threaten transparency and accountability, arguing that journalists play a critical role in ensuring elections remain open and credible.
“We condemn the assault on the press by hooded gunmen, whose clear mission is to conceal evidence of electoral malpractice and gross violations of human rights. This is not democracy. This is impunity wearing the mask of an election.”
Maraga also called for those behind the violence to be held accountable, warning that failure to address such incidents could weaken public trust in Kenya's democratic institutions.
He said the LindaKura campaign will serve as a platform to defend electoral integrity, protect polling station results and encourage public vigilance as the country heads toward the 2027 General Election.