Maraga Explains What Led Him to Quit Alcohol

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has shared previously undisclosed details about his early struggles with alcohol, linking his personal transformation to his current bid for Kenya’s presidency in 2027.

Maraga said his drinking began in secondary school, starting at Maranda High School and continuing at Kisii High School, before extending into university and his early years as a lawyer in Nakuru. Although baptised into the Seventh Day Adventist Church as a child, he explained that peer pressure during adolescence drew him into habits that lasted long into adulthood. 

He recalled several incidents that highlighted the risks he was taking, including a minor car accident and a difficult journey back to Nakuru after running out of fuel following a weekend in Nairobi. He described a night of heavy drinking at an army barracks in Nakuru as the moment that prompted change. 

After waking the next morning with no memory of how he had reached home, he recognised the danger of his behaviour. On 1 January 1991, he recommitted himself to the church, a decision he says marked a permanent turning point: “I went to church that day and never looked back.”

Maraga is now presenting this account as part of a broader narrative as he transitions from judicial leadership to political life. Having served as the country’s 14th Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021, he declared his presidential ambition in June 2025, stating that the nation needs firm moral direction. 

He has positioned his campaign around the rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, and expanded opportunities for young people. He has indicated a willingness to work with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, noting their shared time at the University of Nairobi, but emphasised that any partnership must fully align with his agenda. 

“If he comes and embraces my vision, we will work together. As the presidential flag bearer, others must rally behind me,” he said. 

He has also left open the possibility of working with former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, but only if Matiang’i supports his stated principles. He ruled out any cooperation with President William Ruto, saying their values do not match.

Maraga said the Gen Z–led protests of 2024 against the Finance Bill influenced his decision to enter politics. He described the demonstrations as a reminder of the urgency of addressing youth concerns and creating meaningful opportunities. He said that he felt compelled to act, given the frustrations expressed by young people.