Former Chief Justice David Maraga has defended the modest crowds attending his Katiba Caravan meetings, saying he does not pay supporters to attend his sensitization and political rallies.
Responding to criticism over small turnouts, Maraga said his campaign focuses on genuine civic engagement rather than hired crowds, insisting authentic support matters more than numbers.
Speaking in Nakuru City while opening United Green Movement party offices at Kapkures in Nakuru Town West constituency, Maraga warned that corruption threatens Kenya’s stability.
He said runaway corruption has reached alarming levels, adding that fresh reports exposing large-scale theft of public funds emerge almost daily, painting a troubling picture of deepening graft in government.
Maraga claimed government systems, including the e-Citizen platform, had increasingly become conduits for siphoning public resources instead of supporting efficient public service delivery.
“Kenya is on the verge of destruction and we cannot allow that to happen,” he said, urging citizens to demand accountability, defend the Constitution, and reject leaders who tolerate corruption.
Maraga, who leads the United Green Movement party, is seeking the presidency in the 2027 election on a platform centred on prudent management of public resources.
He said persistent corruption embedded within budget processes has crippled delivery of public services and undermined development efforts across many sectors of the economy.
“I assure you that if elected President, I will stop the corruption right away,” he declared, promising zero tolerance for conflicts of interest in government and strict enforcement of accountability across public institutions.
Maraga urged young people to register as voters, saying the 2027 election will determine the country’s direction and calling on youth to participate actively in shaping leadership.
The party’s deputy leader Agustino Neto urged young voters to participate actively in politics, saying they must help shape the country’s leadership and future governance.
“This is a national party. We have candidates for various seats across the country,” said Neto, the former Ndhiwa MP, urging supporters to build grassroots structures ahead of elections.
He further encouraged aspirants from different regions to seek elective seats under the party ticket, describing the movement as nationally organised and constitutionally guided.
Secretary General Katwa Wambua said Maraga has toured eighteen counties so far, opening party offices and promoting the United Green Movement’s political agenda.
He added that constitutionalism, strongly associated with Maraga, offers the best path to restore accountability, rebuild institutions and safeguard democratic governance.
“We will form a government that follows the rule of law,” he said, promising reforms to strengthen institutions, enforce accountability, and restore integrity in public administration across the country.