Why ‘Iron lady’ rebranded after 16 years in the cold

After nearly two decades in the political cold, Martha Karua is making a calculated political comeback, shedding off the old shell that had set her against many peers.

After her unsuccessful 2013 presidential debut, Karua, who slipped into a near political oblivion, made another brief return to the national limelight in 2022 as running mate to then Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

She made history as the first female running mate in the election that the opposition lost to then Deputy President William Ruto.

Karua has tried to practice principled politics but ethnic inclinations remain a huge setback.

She is also among Azimio principals without elected leaders, a matter that has been used to ridicule her. On Thursday, the iron lady rebranded, complete with a new political outfit, casting a figure of a person ready to do more listening, negotiation and coalition building.

In fact, one of her companions is former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a man who was initially her arch-political enemy.

Speaking last week during the launch of her People’s Liberation party, formerly Narc Kenya, Karua downplayed the rift with Gachagua – who was present – saying they are now comrades in the newfound liberation movement.

Karua has gone against big time politicians from Mt Kenya in a bid to do clean politics.

“Those who are asking how we are standing with Riggy G (as Gachagua fondly referred to), what did he do to me or is there land which he grabbed from me?” she said.

 “This is not a time for a division, this is not a time to point fingers at your brother or sister, anybody who is on the side of the liberation is an ally.”

Gachagua also was full of praise for his 2022 election rival, admitting he admired her brand of politics.

“Martha Karua has a proven track record fighting for democracy and she is priceless, nobody can compromise her. You are now our mother, bring us together,” he said of Karua during the launch.

“Truth be told, I admired her leadership skills and I wished we were in one team. God has made it possible we are in one camp,” the former DP added.

According to Gachagua, there has never been anything personal between him and Karua even at a time when they fiercely criticised each other.

“Many people thought I could not work with her because we were in competition, we have nothing against each other,” he said.

Karua made a name in the Ministry of Justice in the President Mwai Kibaki’s Narc administration, where she was known for her fearless stance on justice and democracy, earning her friends and enemies alike.

She was also thrust in the limelight as a steadfast defender of President Kibaki during the disputed 2007 presidential election when she arrived at the national tallying centre at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi, and stared down ODM leaders.

Her dramatic and unexpected resignation from government in 2009 over her position judicial independence buttressed her reputation as a principled politician.

Apart from being the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, she was also appointed Minister for Water Development.

She first became an MP in 1992 representing Gichugu constituency. Karua contested the 2013 presidential election on Narc Kenya ticket, garnering a paltry 43,881 votes and made another unsuccessful comeback in 2017 when she sought to be Kirinyaga governor, but lost to Anne Waiguru in a bitterly contested election.