Overview

• Announcing in Nairobi, the 42-year-old said Kenya’s leadership has failed citizens and urged voters to take the country back into their hands.
• In July, prosecutors charged him with possessing teargas canisters and a single rifle round found at his home, to which he pleaded not guilty; police talk of terrorism counts tied to protests was never filed in court.
• He says Tanzanian police detained and abused him in May before expelling him, and he and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire have taken the case to the East African Court of Justice.
• His bid follows youth-led demonstrations over the past two years that drew condemnation of police tactics from rights groups and left more than 100 people dead.
• Kenya votes in August 2027, with President William Ruto seeking another term and declared contenders including Senator Okiya Omtatah and former chief justice David Maraga.