Maraga embarks on three-week US tour to woo diaspora ahead of 2027 polls
Former Chief Justice David Maraga is scheduled to travel to the United States on September 17, 2026 for a three-week tour aimed at engaging Kenyans in the diaspora as he steps up his political activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Maraga, who is the United Green Movement (UGM) co-party leader and presidential flag bearer, said the visit will take him across several states, where he plans to meet Kenyan communities, listen to their concerns and discuss their role in Kenya’s political and economic future.
“Our constitution recognises the diaspora as full partners in Kenya’s future, not just a source of remittances,” Maraga said in a post announcing the visit.
He said he would begin the tour on September 17 and engage Kenyans in Delaware, Texas, New York and other states during the three-week visit.
His campaign secretariat listed New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Georgia among the other states he is expected to visit, although a detailed itinerary has not yet been released.
The tour comes as Maraga seeks to expand his political profile and build support for his 2027 presidential bid. His campaign has increasingly focused on constitutionalism, governance, democracy and the rule of law, issues closely associated with his tenure as Chief Justice.
Maraga’s US engagements are also expected to highlight the contribution of the Kenyan diaspora to the country’s development. The United States is a major source of remittances to Kenya, making Kenyan communities there an important economic constituency.
His campaign estimates that the US accounts for between 50 and 60 per cent of Kenya’s diaspora remittance inflows, which it places at between Sh380 billion and Sh405 billion annually when cash and in-kind support are combined.
Besides the meetings with Kenyans, Maraga is scheduled to engage international leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meetings are expected to provide an opportunity for him to discuss governance, democracy and Kenya’s role in the international community while expanding his international outreach ahead of the election.
The US tour follows Maraga’s Ukatiba Caravan, a nationwide campaign that took him to all 43 counties between February and April this year.
During the caravan, he interacted with Kenyans on constitutional governance, rights, responsibilities and national challenges. His campaign described the exercise as an effort to promote public participation and strengthen citizens’ understanding of the Constitution.
The former Chief Justice is now extending that engagement to Kenyans living abroad as the country enters an increasingly competitive political period ahead of 2027.
Maraga’s nomination as UGM presidential flag bearer is expected to be subject to formal approval by the party’s National Delegates Conference.
