Former Chief Justice David Maraga has revealed the terrifying and emotional moments he endured after nullifying Uhuru’s presidential win in 2017. His decision made global headlines, but behind the scenes, he battled threats, abuse, and political tension that pushed his family into fear.
Speaking during an interview on Oga Obinna TV, Maraga said the backlash came swiftly. Many Kenyans directed fury toward him and the Supreme Court, while President Uhuru Kenyatta publicly dismissed the judges as “Maraga and crooks.”Maraga says those days changed his life forever.
Inside Maraga’s Turmoil After Nullifying Uhuru’s 2017 Presidential Win
Maraga says the Supreme Court acted strictly on evidence and constitutional duty. Despite that, the ruling unleashed a storm that tested his courage, his safety and his resolve. It was a moment that reshaped Kenya’s political history and exposed the high cost of defending the law.
Maraga Reveals the Panic After Uhuru’s Attack on the Judges
Maraga recalls that the pressure grew intense after Uhuru promised he would “revisit” the ruling. He says that statement alone terrified his family.
He narrates how threats began pouring in from the public. People accused him of overthrowing the will of the people. Some sent direct warnings of planned attacks. He says his family lived in fear, unsure of what would happen next.
“I was abused left, right and centre,” Maraga said during the interview. “It was heavy. My family got scared when they heard of threats to attack me.”
Despite the flood of rage, he insists no one physically harmed him or his family. Still, the emotional weight stayed with him for months.
Why the Supreme Court Nullified Uhuru’s Presidential Win
Maraga says the Supreme Court reached its decision strictly on merit. The judges reviewed evidence showing irregularities and failures by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
He emphasizes that elections are a process, not a one-day event. According to him, four of the judges found that the presidential election did not meet the constitutional threshold for a free and credible vote.
With that, the court declared the results invalid, null and void. It ordered a fresh election within 60 days.
This ruling made history. No court in Africa had ever nullified a presidential election before.
The decision stunned the continent. It thrilled one side of the political divide and enraged the other. To the judges, it was the price of upholding democracy. To the government, it was a blow to political power.
Uhuru’s Fury and the Political Heat That Followed
Though Uhuru said he would respect the ruling, he expressed deep frustration. In public remarks, he accused the judges of going against the will of the people. He later told supporters that his status as president-elect had been stolen by “Maraga and his crooks.”
Maraga says this political heat intensified public anger. His name dominated political rallies. He became the target of harsh comments, accusations and street chants.
Former State House lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi added to the tension when he described the ruling as political. He insisted the electoral commission had done nothing wrong but admitted the decision had to be respected.
On the other side, Raila Odinga maintained that the election was riddled with irregularities and electronic manipulation. The court agreed with parts of his petition, while international observers said they saw no major interference.
The atmosphere in Kenya during those weeks was charged. Protests broke out in several towns. Government allies attacked the judiciary in speeches, while opposition supporters hailed the judges as heroes. Maraga sat at the centre of it all, carrying the weight of a decision that shook Kenya’s political foundation.
Final Word
Maraga’s account exposes the hidden cost of judicial independence in Kenya. Nullifying Uhuru’s presidential win was not only a legal milestone but also a moment of personal sacrifice for the former CJ. He faced threats, insults, and political pressure that tested his commitment to the Constitution.
Today, as he seeks the presidency in 2027, his story returns to the spotlight. Whether Kenyans see him as a courageous defender of the rule of law or a controversial figure from a charged political past, his role in 2017 remains one of the most defining judicial acts in the nation’s history.
