Martha Karua Declares Presidential Bid for 2027 Elections

Narc-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua has announced her intention to pursue the presidency in Kenya’s 2027 general elections, fourteen years after her initial electoral bid.

During a Monday roundtable discussion at K24, Karua articulated her renewed commitment to securing the country’s highest political office, demonstrating confidence in her potential leadership. Reflecting on her previous political experience, Karua narrates her past performance as a presidential candidate in 2013, where she finished sixth, and her more recent role as a running mate to Raila Odinga during the 2022 general elections. This time, she emphasizes her intention to run independently without serving in a secondary political position.

Karua advocates for a unified approach among opposition leaders, recommending that potential candidates first establish their individual platforms before collectively identifying the most compelling representative for their broader political interests. The political landscape for the 2027 elections is increasingly dynamic, with several prominent opposition figures expressing presidential ambitions. Alongside Karua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah have also signaled their intentions to challenge incumbent President William Ruto.

“I would advise that all leaders leaning towards the opposition to establish themselves, then in the end we join forces and vote for the best candidate to represent all of us in the bid,” Karua says.

Karua’s candidacy is particularly noteworthy, as she seeks to become the third woman in Kenyan history to contest the presidency, following the groundbreaking attempts of Charity Ngilu and Wangari Maathai in the 1997 elections. Speaking on Sunday, Jubilee Party’s secretary general Jeremiah Kioni disclosed plans for a strategic alliance led by Kalonzo and involving prominent figures like Fred Matiang’i and George Natembeya. The movement seeks to unite diverse political personalities, including former opposition and ruling party members, in a bid to reshape Kenya’s political landscape.