Martha Karua Launches Independent Campaign While Remaining in United Opposition Ahead of 2027
Martha Karua has gone her own way – at least for now.
Over the weekend, the People’s Liberation Party leader tore in to Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties, launching a full on mobilisation effort. Meanwhile, other key opposition figures were trying to whip up supporters along the Coast, working off the same old campaign blueprint they’ve been following.
Its hard not to wonder whats going to happen to the unity of the opposition come 2027 with this new approach in place.
A Different Direction, Not a Split – At Least Not Yet
Karua’s decision to hold her own rallies has got people talking , with some thinking its a sign that shes quietly slipping out of the United Opposition
But her team is quick to deny that – telling anyone who will listen that shes still very much a part of the opposition – shes just taking a different tack to get some grassroots momentum going before the big push with the others.
As they see it, this move isn’t about disengaging, but about making sure the PLP is well established before they join forces with everyone else for the bigger coordinated effort.
The reality though is a bit different – while figures like Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Justin Muturi were all rallying the troops along the Coast, Karua was in the Mt. Kenya region getting herselft stuck in the mud, building up her own momentum and getting things moving.
Karua Speaks: “We Must Remove This Regime”
She had no hesitation in sticking the boot in when she got to Karatina
“We need to get rid of this government and refuse to put in place a different bunch of failures just with new faces. We need service-led leaders – and for the record every time I’ve been in a role Ive stuck to it and my record is still standing”
She was pretty direct and urgent, and the message was pretty clear – accountability, integrity, and a break from recycled leadership is what shes all about
A Campaign Built on Discipline and Accountability
Karua is going down the route of saying “no-nonsense is the way to go”, and in her view the pitch boils down to leadership being about service-not about grandstanding.
She wants Kenyans to think beyond just the flashy bits and empty promises and change how we judge our leaders.
“People get caught up in who can spend the most cash or put on the biggest show,” Karua points out. “But what Kenyans really want is a leader that doesn’t just throw them scraps, but helps them get on their feet.”
It’s a message that rings a bell for a lot of Kenyans out there but still we have to see whether it can actually give her the momentum she needs to get people on board.
A Long Political Journey, Now Eyeing 2027
Karua’s decision to run isn’t out of the blue – its part of a journey that’s been going on for years.
She first put herself forward as a presidential candidate all the way back in 2013 under the NARC Kenya brand, and she was sixth out of a bunch of men. Then in 2017 she went up against Anne Waiguru in the Kirinyaga governership election and lost, before she joined Raila Odinga’s ticket in 2022 as his running mate in an election that William Ruto ended up winning.
Now she’s set her sights firmly on the 2027 election – and this time round she’s not just waiting for an invitation to join the dance.
So, What Does This Mean for the Opposition?
Which brings us to the big question of the day.
Is going it alone a smart move – building up your own strength before joining forces with others? Or is this where the opposition starts to splinter apart.
Karua keeps saying she’s still on the team, but let’s face it – putting in all this effort on her own does send out a pretty clear message.
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Martha Karua Launches Independent Campaign While Remaining in United Opposition Ahead of 2027
