A powerful new chapter is poised to unfold. Kenya's revered "Iron Lady" and Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua, has officially declared her intention to vie for the presidency in the upcoming 2027 General Election. The announcement, delivered with characteristic defiance and conviction during a burial ceremony in Kiandieri, Kirinyaga County, on Friday, January 10, signals a significant shift in her political trajectory: Karua is done playing second fiddle.
Amidst applause from attendees, the seasoned politician, known for her unwavering resolve and steadfast advocacy for justice, made her intentions crystal clear. "I want to tell my good former Senator Daniel Karaba that I’m beyond any running mate position, I will be going for the top seat come the next election. I will not be a deputy to anybody again. At the right time I will ask for your votes for the presidency," she asserted. This declaration marks a definitive departure from her role as Raila Odinga’s running mate under the Azimio La Umoja coalition during the closely contested 2022 General Election.
This will not be Karua's inaugural attempt at the nation's highest office. A testament to her enduring ambition and commitment to leadership, she previously contested the presidency in 2013 under the Narc-Kenya ticket. This made her only the third woman in Kenya's history to run for the top seat, following in the pioneering footsteps of Charity Ngilu and Wangari Maathai. Her consistent pursuit of the presidency underscores a deeply held belief in her capacity to lead and transform the nation.
Martha Karua's political career is distinguished by a fierce dedication to democratic principles and human rights. As a former long-standing Member of Parliament for Gichugu Constituency, she built a reputation as a formidable legislator. Her tenure as Minister for Justice, from which she famously resigned in April 2009 due to disagreements over judicial appointments, further cemented her image as an individual willing to stand on principle, even against the tide. Throughout her public life, Karua has been a vocal and consistent champion for the protection of women's rights and a tireless advocate for improvements to the democratic process, earning her the moniker "Iron Lady" for her tenacity and uncompromising stance on governance issues.
