Martha Wangari Karua
Approved aspirant — not an IEBC-confirmed candidate · Kirinyaga
At a glance
Recorded current position: None recorded
Aspirant sought seat: President
County: Kirinyaga · Constituency: Not recorded · Ward: Not recorded
Party: People's Liberation Party (PLP)
Record updated: 2026-05-04 (record update, not independent verification).
Last verified: Not recorded.
Directory entries reflect recorded data and may be incomplete or disputed; an approval status is not evidence of independent verification.
Biography
Veteran lawyer and former Minister of Justice (2005–2009). Former MP for Gichugu (1992–2013). Was the running mate of Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election. Leader of Narc Kenya. Has publicly indicated her interest in the 2027 presidential race. On 10 January 2025, speaking in Kirinyaga, Karua formally declared her 2027 presidential bid and ruled out serving as anyone's running mate. NARC-Kenya has since rebranded as the People's Liberation Party (PLP) — colours changed to lilac, white and purple — to anchor her 2027 campaign and target Gen Z voters.
Education
Karoti Girls High School, Kirinyaga. Kianyaga High School. University of Nairobi, School of Law — Bachelor of Laws (LL.B, 1980). Kenya School of Law — Postgraduate Diploma in Law. Advocate of the High Court of Kenya since 1981.
Professional experience
District Magistrate (Magistrate II, then Senior Resident Magistrate) in the Kenyan Judiciary, 1981–1987. Founder and Senior Partner, Martha Karua & Company Advocates, Nairobi (from 1987). Internationally recognised human-rights and constitutional lawyer.
Political experience
Member of Parliament for Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga, 1992–2013 (four terms; first elected on a Democratic Party / FORD-Asili ticket). Minister for Water Resources, 1998–1999. Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, 2005–2009 — led negotiations for the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, 2008. Presidential candidate 2013 (Narc Kenya). Running mate to Raila Odinga (Azimio La Umoja) in the 2022 General Election. Party leader, Narc Kenya.
Claimed achievements (not independently verified)
Among the most prominent Kenyan female lawyers of her generation. Played a central role in negotiating the post-2007 National Accord that ended the post-election violence. Long-standing public advocate for constitutional reform, anti-corruption and women's political participation. Has received multiple international awards for human rights and gender advocacy.
Sources
Source attribution is not independent verification.