That Martha Karua’s entry into the 2022 Presidential elections has changed the dynamics of the Presidential elections is without a doubt. What would have been an ordinary election as Terry, a female voter and Gender advocate from Nairobi said, “has become extra-ordinary because we have a powerful female candidate as a running mate”.

I happen to share Terry’s sentiments; I’m one of those young Kenyan voters who voted religiously in the last two elections but somehow lost the zeal to vote in the 2022 elections because status quo continues to dominate Kenyan politics and the hop for transformational leadership keeps dwindling by the day.

Martha Karua’s candidature as Raila Odinga’s running mate has however brought me a ray of sunshine, not simply because of the gender card, but the fact that it’s Martha Karua! A constitutional lawyer and human rights defender who has remained consistent. She is known to be firm and bold and has a proven record of standing up for what is right, regardless of who she’s rattling.

Multi-Party Elections

Nicknamed “The Iron Lady”, Martha Karua has, during her tenure in politics, demonstrated good leadership, and a strong commitment to defend the constitution and defend democracy in Kenya. She is among the leaders that pushed for the new constitution. Martha Karua is also among leaders such as Hon. Paul Mugane Muite, Hon. James Orengo, Hon. Gitobu Imanyara, retired Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who pushed the former president Daniel Arap Moi’s government to remove Chapter 2(a) of the constitution which prevented multi-party democracy in Kenya in 1990, a war that was finally won in 1992.

“The Iron Lady” also became the youngest woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament when she beat the incumbent, Geoffrey Karekia Kariithis, to become Gichugu MP in 1992. She served for a record 15 Years.

Resignation from Kibaki’s government a sign of her principles

A memory I remember fondly that demonstrates Martha Karua’s boldness and passion to defend the law is when she resigned as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs in April 2009. She was then a key member of Mwai Kibaki’s government. Former president Mwai Kibaki had appointed Karua in January 2008 following the disputed 2007 elections.

In a country where political leaders are on record quoted saying “they would rather die than resign” Karua went on record as the first Minister to resign voluntarily since 2003. She cited frustrations in discharging her duties that included the president appointing Judges without her knowledge as the reason for why she resigned. It was a clear indication that Karua would stand fast in order to defend her principles.

I like the fact that Martha Karua walks the walk and doesn’t play complacent or get swayed by the crowd. A lot of the young Kenyan voters who have just become eligible to vote and even some of my fellow millennials might not be aware of this but, in 2001, when the opposition was opposed to the Constitutional Review Bill and walked out of parliament in protest, Karua stayed put arguing that “as elected representatives, it would be more significant to remain in Parliament and put their objections on record”. She presented her objections to the Bill and they were recorded in the Hansard.

The possibility of Martha Karua becoming Kenya’s Vice President is exciting, coming at a time when more women are rising in the political sphere across the globe and if I will be be able waking up on August 9 to go and vote, I will be going to vote for Martha Karua.