Nairobi, Kenya – Former Chief Justice David Maraga, serving as Co-Leader and Flagbearer of the United Green Movement Party (UGM), concluded a successful political tour across three western Kenyan counties on October 6, 2025. The campaign swing through Homabay, Kisumu, and Siaya Counties marks a significant push by the emerging political party to establish its presence in the region ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.
The tour, described by party officials as “very successful,” focused on popularizing the UGM party platform, encouraging voter registration, and building support for Dr. Benson Obol Otieno, the party’s parliamentary aspirant for the Ugunja Constituency. The campaign activities represent the latest chapter in Maraga’s post-judiciary career as he transitions into active political leadership.
Political Mobilization in Lake Region
The three-county tour concentrated on Kenya’s Lake Victoria region, traditionally considered a politically significant area in national elections. Former Chief Justice Maraga and his delegation engaged with local communities, party supporters, and potential voters across multiple venues in Homabay, Kisumu, and Siaya Counties.
According to a statement released by the Maraga ’27 Presidential Campaign Secretariat on October 7, 2025, the tour achieved its primary objectives of raising awareness about the United Green Movement Party and mobilizing grassroots support. The campaign emphasized the importance of voter registration, a critical component of electoral participation in Kenya’s democratic process.
The choice of these specific counties appears strategic for the UGM party. The Lake region has historically played a decisive role in Kenyan elections, and establishing a strong foothold in these areas could prove vital for the party’s broader national ambitions. The tour also provided an opportunity for local residents to interact directly with the former Chief Justice, who enjoys considerable respect across the country due to his judicial career.
Focus on Ugunja Constituency Race
A central element of the campaign tour was building momentum for Dr. Benson Obol Otieno, the United Green Movement Party’s candidate for the Ugunja Constituency parliamentary seat. The constituency, located in Siaya County, will hold elections in the coming months, and the UGM party has identified this race as a key opportunity to demonstrate its electoral viability.
Dr. Otieno’s candidacy represents the party’s effort to secure representation in Kenya’s National Assembly. Parliamentary elections in Kenya are highly competitive, with candidates from established political parties typically dominating the landscape. The UGM party’s campaign for the Ugunja seat will test whether the relatively new political movement can break through in a constituency with established political allegiances.
During the tour, Maraga and party officials emphasized the importance of electing representatives who align with the UGM party’s principles and policy agenda. While specific policy positions were not detailed in the campaign announcement, the party’s name suggests an environmental focus, potentially appealing to voters concerned about sustainability and green development initiatives.
Maraga’s Dual Agenda: Politics and Regional Diplomacy
Following the domestic campaign tour, Hon. Maraga is scheduled to travel to Gaborone, Botswana, from October 7-10, 2025, for the annual conference of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum. This international engagement highlights Maraga’s continued influence in judicial circles despite his retirement from the bench.
At the conference, Chief Justice (Emeritus) Maraga will deliver remarks on behalf of the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum, addressing his peers from across the region. The forum provides a platform for chief justices and senior judicial officers to discuss common challenges, share best practices, and strengthen judicial cooperation across Southern and Eastern Africa.
The timing of this international trip immediately following the political campaign tour demonstrates Maraga’s ability to balance his new political role with his ongoing contributions to Africa’s judicial community. His participation in such forums maintains his visibility on the continental stage and reinforces his credentials as a respected legal mind.
Engaging the Kenyan Diaspora
The Botswana trip will also include “several bilateral meetings, including with the Kenyan Diaspora in Botswana,” according to the campaign secretariat’s statement. This diaspora engagement reflects a growing trend among Kenyan politicians to connect with citizens living abroad, recognizing their potential influence through remittances, advocacy, and voting rights.
The Kenyan diaspora community worldwide has become increasingly important in the country’s political landscape. Diaspora members often maintain strong ties to their home constituencies and can significantly influence electoral outcomes through financial support for campaigns and by encouraging family members to support specific candidates or parties. For more insights on how financial technology has transformed Kenya’s diaspora remittances, read how M-PESA transformed Kenya’s economy.
Maraga’s planned meetings with Kenyans in Botswana suggest the UGM party is taking a comprehensive approach to building support, looking beyond Kenya’s borders to engage with the estimated millions of Kenyans living and working in other African countries and around the world.
The United Green Movement Party’s Political Positioning
The United Green Movement Party represents a relatively new entrant in Kenya’s crowded political landscape. The party’s branding, with its emphasis on “green” principles, positions it within a growing global movement toward environmentally conscious politics. However, the party has yet to articulate a comprehensive policy platform that would distinguish it from established Kenyan political parties.
Kenya’s multi-party democracy features dozens of registered political parties, though a handful of major parties have historically dominated national politics. For the UGM party to establish lasting relevance, it will need to demonstrate not only electoral viability but also policy coherence and organizational strength across multiple counties.
The decision to have Former Chief Justice Maraga serve as Co-Leader and Flagbearer provides the party with significant name recognition and credibility. Maraga’s reputation for judicial independence and integrity during his tenure as Chief Justice could attract voters disillusioned with traditional political establishments.
Maraga’s Judicial Legacy and Political Transition
David Maraga served as Kenya’s Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021, a period marked by several landmark decisions that shaped the country’s constitutional landscape. Most notably, he presided over the Supreme Court when it annulled the 2017 presidential election results, a historic decision that demonstrated judicial independence and adherence to constitutional principles.
His transition from the judiciary to active politics represents a significant career shift. While retired judges occasionally engage in public commentary or advisory roles, direct involvement in party politics and electoral campaigns is less common. Maraga’s decision to not only join but lead a political party signals his desire to continue influencing Kenya’s governance beyond the courtroom.
The “Maraga ’27” campaign branding suggests presidential ambitions, with “27” likely referring to the 2027 general elections when Kenya will elect its next president, members of parliament, senators, governors, and county assembly representatives. If Maraga pursues the presidency, he would join a competitive field that typically includes several experienced politicians.
Implications for Kenya’s Political Landscape
The emergence of the United Green Movement Party and Maraga’s political activism adds another dimension to Kenya’s evolving political scene. As the country looks toward the 2027 elections, new parties and coalitions are likely to form, potentially reshaping traditional political alignments.
For voters in Homabay, Kisumu, and Siaya Counties, the UGM party’s campaign tour offers an alternative political choice. Whether this translates into actual electoral support remains to be seen, but the party’s investment in grassroots mobilization and voter registration indicates a serious commitment to building sustainable political infrastructure.
The upcoming Ugunja Constituency election will serve as an important test case for the UGM party. A strong showing by Dr. Benson Obol Otieno would validate the party’s campaign strategy and potentially attract additional candidates and supporters. Conversely, a poor performance might raise questions about the party’s viability and strategic direction.
Digital Campaign Strategies and Technology
In modern Kenyan politics, digital platforms and technology play an increasingly crucial role in campaign mobilization and voter outreach. Political parties now leverage social media, mobile messaging, and online platforms to reach younger demographics and urban voters. The UGM party’s ability to effectively utilize these tools could prove decisive in building grassroots support.
However, concerns about internet accessibility and digital rights remain relevant in Kenya’s political context. See our post on how governments shut down the internet to understand the challenges facing digital political campaigns in Africa. As campaigns become more technology-dependent, ensuring open and secure internet access becomes essential for democratic participation.
For more articles on how technology is shaping Kenya’s future, visit our Technology section.
Economic Platform and Voter Concerns
While the UGM party’s environmental focus is evident in its name, economic concerns will likely dominate voter priorities in the upcoming elections. Kenya faces significant economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, inflation, and public debt burdens that affect everyday citizens.
Voters in the Lake region, like those across Kenya, are concerned about job creation, agricultural support, healthcare access, and educational opportunities. The UGM party will need to articulate clear economic policies that address these bread-and-butter issues to gain traction beyond environmental messaging.
To better understand the economic context in which this campaign is unfolding, explore our Economy section for comprehensive analysis of Kenya’s financial landscape.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
As Former Chief Justice Maraga prepares for his trip to Botswana and the UGM party continues its political mobilization, several factors will determine the movement’s future success. Building a robust party structure, developing clear policy positions, securing adequate campaign financing, and attracting talented candidates across multiple constituencies all present significant challenges.
The party’s campaign motto—”Reset, Restore, Rebuild”—suggests a reform-oriented agenda, though the specifics of what needs resetting, restoring, and rebuilding have yet to be fully articulated to the public. As the 2027 elections approach, voters will expect detailed proposals on economic development, healthcare, education, security, and other priority issues.
The combination of domestic campaign activities and international judicial engagement positions Maraga as a leader with both grassroots political instincts and global perspective. Whether this combination proves electorally successful will become clear as Kenya’s political calendar advances toward the next general election cycle.
Conclusion
For now, the United Green Movement Party has established its presence in western Kenya and signaled its intention to compete seriously in parliamentary races. The coming months will reveal whether this initial momentum can be sustained and expanded into a genuine political force capable of challenging Kenya’s established parties.
As Kenya’s political landscape continues to evolve, staying informed about these developments becomes increasingly important. The Ugunja Constituency election and the broader 2027 general elections will test new political formations like the UGM party and determine whether Kenyan voters are ready for alternatives to traditional political establishments.
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