Rigathi Gachagua vs Martha Karua
They differ most on role of the state in the economy, land, wealth and taxes, social values, institutions and power-sharing. They sit close on political style, civil liberties.
Dimension by dimension
| Gachagua | Karua | |
|---|---|---|
| Role of the state in the economy | Leans state-ledWhyAs Deputy President he led state-driven coffee-sector reform efforts (verify specific measures). (low confidence) | Mixed SWhyThe same plan pairs a spending freeze and 60% cuts to discretionary spending with Sh285 billion for fertiliser subsidies, irrigation and grain reserves. It points both ways. (low confidence) |
| Land, wealth and taxes | Leans low redistributionWhyAs Deputy President in 2023 he campaigned for the Finance Bill, telling MPs who opposed it not to ask for roads, and defended the Housing Levy. (low confidence) | Leans strong redistribution SWhyHer June 2026 PLP alternative budget rejects taxes on mobile money, internet services and digital platforms and would cap Social Health Authority contributions at Sh500 per family. She never ran economic policy, so no record contradicts it. (medium confidence) |
| Social values | Socially conservative SWhyCalled the Supreme Court's February 2023 ruling allowing an LGBTQ rights group to register 'satanic' and 'against our beliefs'. His campaigns lean heavily on church platforms. (medium confidence) | Mixed SWhyA long-standing advocate for women in leadership and Kenya's first woman major-party running mate (2022). In 2023 she joined Azimio leaders who condemned the Supreme Court's LGBTQ registration ruling; no direct quote from her was found. Mixed. (low confidence) |
| Institutions and power-sharing | Leans executive-centredWhyAfter the High Court struck down the Housing Levy in November 2023 he publicly pleaded with judges not to 'sabotage' it. (low confidence) | Leans checks and devolutionWhyResigned as Justice Minister in April 2009, citing judicial appointments made without her. During the 2007 to 2008 crisis she was a leading defender of the disputed PNU result (attributed). Mixed, but leans towards checks. (medium confidence) |
| Political style | Leans anti-establishmentWhyFormer second-in-command now leads an opposition party. (medium confidence) | Leans anti-establishmentWhyLeft government and now leads a small opposition party. (low confidence) |
| Civil liberties | Leans liberty-first SWhyThe opposition's 100-day plan he unveiled in September 2026 pledges to prosecute those behind the deaths of 2024 and 2025 protesters. He was Deputy President during the 2024 protests, but the police did not answer to him. His claim that he objected inside government is disputed by Kindiki. (low confidence) | Leans liberty-firstWhyHas acted as defence lawyer for opposition figures in the region, including Kizza Besigye in Uganda. Tanzania deported her in May 2025 when she arrived to represent Tundu Lissu. (medium confidence) |
Placed mainly from what each did; S marks stated positions and H hearsay, which count less. Method.
On the issues voters rank highest
Cost of living
Gachagua: D Championed the Finance Act 2023, which doubled fuel VAT and created the Housing Levy. He now promises lower taxes; that promise is not counted because his record contradicts it.
Karua: S No taxes on mobile money, internet services or digital platforms, and cut discretionary spending by over 60% (PLP alternative budget, June 2026).
Healthcare
Gachagua: S Leads the opposition push to scrap SHA and restore NHIF, which Kindiki attacked in January 2026.
Karua: S Would scrap SHA and the Housing Levy if elected (2026). Her alternative budget caps health contributions at Sh500 per family, the old NHIF rate, instead of 2.75% of pay.
Who they are
Rigathi Gachagua: Deputy President 2022 to Oct 2024 (impeached). Former Mathira MP. Leader of DCP. On his record as Deputy President he championed the government's tax measures, so his new tax-cutting promises are not counted. His socially conservative statements are counted as stated positions. His faith-based and regional messaging is not counted, because he has held executive power. The clearest documented pattern is a shift from government insider to opposition leader.
Martha Karua: Justice Minister 2005 to 2009 (and earlier Water Minister). Former Gichugu MP. Leader of PLP. On what she did in and after office: a constitutionalist with a rights-first bent. Her economic positions come from her 2026 alternative budget, which counts as a stated position and weighs less than her record.
Biographies: Rigathi Gachagua · Martha Karua