Maraga woos US diaspora ahead of Sep 17 presidential campaign tour

NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 24 – United Green Movement (UGM) co-party leader and presidential flag bearer David Maraga has engaged Kenyans living in the United States ahead of his planned visit to the country beginning September 17, 2026.

Maraga held an online consultative meeting with members of the Kenyan diaspora on Sunday, with participants joining from Minnesota, Georgia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Texas and other states.

The diaspora participants described the former Chief Justice as a fair, courageous, principled and visionary leader, while praising his record in the Judiciary.

They particularly commended his historic 2017 decision that annulled the presidential election and highlighted reforms undertaken during his tenure as Chief Justice, including the digitisation of court processes.

The reforms, they said, helped expand access to judicial services and enabled Kenyans living abroad to participate in some judicial processes remotely.

The diaspora community, however, raised concerns over what they described as the marginalisation of Kenyan voters living abroad.

They cited difficulties in voter registration and limited access to polling stations, urging the presidential candidate to prioritise reforms that would make it easier for Kenyans in the diaspora to participate in elections.

Maraga said a UGM administration would enforce the rule of law without exception and take firm action against the looting of public resources.

He outlined four key objectives for his upcoming US visit: consulting the diaspora on the party’s manifesto, advancing diaspora voter registration and voting, building strategic partnerships around his campaign’s five pillars, and mobilising people-driven campaign financing through authorised channels and in accordance with the law.

Maraga also pledged to address concerns surrounding diaspora voter registration through the recently established People’s Forum for Electoral Preparedness.

The former Chief Justice said the diaspora would remain an important constituency in his campaign and in his vision for the country.

Participants welcomed his planned September visit, saying it would provide an opportunity for deeper engagement on the role of the diaspora in Kenya’s political and economic development.

They also expressed interest in exploring ways Kenyans abroad can contribute to the country’s development while ensuring that Kenya better serves the interests of its diaspora community.