Ex- Raila's Advisor Joins 2027 Presidential Race to Topple Ruto

Lawyer Miguna Miguna a former adviser to the late ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga has declared that he will contest the presidency in the 2027 General Election. Miguna who vied for the Nairobi Governorhip in 2022 on a Thirdway Alliance ticket made the announcement during a live interview on TV47 on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 night. Miguna said his decision is anchored on what he described as a transformative and people-centred agenda. “I am going to vie for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya in 2027, and I am going to do it on a transformative vision,” he said. “A vision that identifies the interest of the people of Kenya as the core and the foundation of moving the country forward.” He added that his agenda would be guided by values that depart from current governance approaches. “It is a vision that is built on integrity and is built on socialism, not capitalism,” Miguna stated. Miguna has not yet announced a political party or detailed specific policies. However, he has repeatedly highlighted inequalities in the application of citizenship laws and called for equal treatment of all Kenyans. However, Miguna's quest may face headwinds that is if he still holds dual citizenship for Kenya and Canada as Constitution of Kenya 2010 states that a person with dual citizenship cannot run for President in Kenya, as the law requires the President to be a Kenyan citizen by birth and explicitly prohibits holding allegiance to a foreign state, with strict exceptions for certain state officers or acquiring citizenship automatically by law (not choice). While dual citizenship is allowed for others, presidential candidates must be citizens by birth and meet strict leadership integrity, barring most dual nationals from the top seat, though court cases have discussed nuances around "allegiance" and automatic citizenship acquisition. Key Constitutional Provisions: Article 137 (Presidential Qualifications): Requires the President to be a citizen by birth and qualified to be a Member of Parliament, but also disqualifies those who owe allegiance to a foreign state. Article 78 (Citizenship & Leadership): States that a State Officer cannot hold dual citizenship, with exceptions for judges, commission members, or those whose foreign citizenship was acquired automatically (without the ability to opt out). Miguna is the latest figure to declare his 2027 presidential ambitions. His declaration intensifies an increasingly crowded field of aspirants, with established politicians and fresh faces positioning themselves for what promises to be a competitive race. Other politicians who are eyeing the presidency in next year’s general elections include former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee Party), former Chief Justice David Maraga of the United Green Movement (UGM) and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka among many others. Others are Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, PLP leader Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and activist Boniface Mwangi. Miguna, a Kenyan-Canadian barrister, first rose to prominence for his vocal criticism of past governments. He gained international attention in 2018, when authorities deported him to Canada after he administered a symbolic oath to opposition leader Raila Odinga following the disputed 2017 election. At the time, the government revoked his Kenyan passport, citing dual citizenship, and barred him from returning. Miguna successfully challenged the decision in court, arguing it violated his rights. During nearly five years in exile, Miguna rebuilt his law practice in Canada to support his family while continuing to advocate for constitutional reforms and anti-corruption measures. He briefly returned to Kenya in 2022.