David Kenani Maraga is a renowned Kenyan lawyer and Jurist. The former Chief Justice of Kenya was the 14th Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya from October 2016 until his retirement in January 2021.
Born in Bonyamatuta, in Nyamira County, Maraga attended DEB Primary School, where he studied from 1961 to 1967 and earned his Certificate of Primary Education (CPE).
He later joined Maranda High School for his O-level before proceeding to Kisii High School for his A-level.
His academic excellence earned him a spot at the University of Nairobi, where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB – Hons.) from 1974 to 1977.
He later joined the Kenya School of Law from 1977 to 1978, earning a Post-graduate Diploma. To further advance his law career, Maraga pursued a master’s in law (LLM) from the University of Nairobi between 2010 and 2012.
His career started at private firms where he practiced for 25 years, specializing in civil and criminal litigation and conveyancing.
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He climbed the ranks to become the Resident Judge at the High Court of Kenya in Nakuru between May 2009 and August 2010.
Maraga also served as the Presiding Judge of the Family Division of the High Court in Nairobi from April 2010 to December 2011.
Furthermore, he chaired a tribunal appointed by the President of Kenya to investigate the conduct of a High Court judge, from 2014 to 2016.
Maraga’s leadership extended to chairing the Judiciary Committee on Elections from August 2015 to 2016, overseeing critical electoral processes.
His career continued to blossom and he was appointed to the Court of Appeal in Nairobi, where he served from January 2012 to September 2014, culminating in his appointment as the Chief Justice of Kenya, a position he held from 2016 to 2021.
He is known for his fearless leadership style and has been praised as a person of integrity. Maraga is also a staunch Seventh-day Adventist.
He reportedly told an interview panel that if appointed Chief Justice, he would never preside over a case on a Saturday, a day of rest and worship for members of the Adventist faith.
He is married to Yucabeth Nyaboke, with whom they have three children; Dr. Edith K. Maraga, Emma I. Maraga-Mangoa, and Moses K. Maraga. He is also a grandfather of two.
