Biography
Martha Karua
Justice Minister 2005 to 2009 (and earlier Water Minister). Former Gichugu MP. Leader of PLP.
Martha Karua is a lawyer and former Justice Minister who was part of the 1990s push for multiparty democracy. Karua was Raila Odinga's running mate in 2022 and now leads the PLP. Born on 22 September 1957 in Kimunye, Kirinyaga County. Age 69.
- Full name
- Martha Wangari Karua
- Born
- 22 September 1957, Kimunye, Kirinyaga County
- Party
- People's Liberation Party (PLP), part of the United Opposition
Education
- University of NairobiLLB (1980)
- Kenya School of LawPostgraduate legal course (1981)
Career
- 1981 to 1987Magistrate in Makadara, Nakuru and Kibera
- 1987 to 2002Ran her own law firm; defended political detainees, including in Koigi wa Wamwere's treason trial
- 1993 to 2013MP for Gichugu
- 2003 to 2005Minister for Water
- 2005 to 2009Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs; resigned in April 2009, citing frustration over reform
- 2013Presidential candidate (NARC-Kenya)
- 2022Raila Odinga's running mate (Azimio)
- 2025NARC-Kenya renamed the People's Liberation Party (PLP)
Where Karua stands
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.
- Institutions and power-sharing: Leans checks and devolution
- Civil liberties: Leans liberty-first
- Political style: Leans anti-establishment
- Land, wealth and taxes: Leans strong redistribution
- Role of the state in the economy: Mixed
- Social values: Mixed
- SCost of living: No taxes on mobile money, internet services or digital platforms, and cut discretionary spending by over 60% (PLP alternative budget, June 2026).
- SHealthcare: 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.
- DLeadership integrity: Resigned as Justice Minister in April 2009 over judicial appointments made without her.
Placed mainly from what Karua did, not what Karua said. See the full record, with every source.
Common questions
Who is Martha Karua?
Martha Karua is a lawyer and former Justice Minister who was part of the 1990s push for multiparty democracy. Karua was Raila Odinga's running mate in 2022 and now leads the PLP. Justice Minister 2005 to 2009 (and earlier Water Minister). Former Gichugu MP. Leader of PLP.
How old is Martha Karua?
Born on 22 September 1957 in Kimunye, Kirinyaga County. Age 69.
What did Martha Karua study?
LLB (1980) at University of Nairobi; Postgraduate legal course (1981) at Kenya School of Law.
Which party is Martha Karua in?
People's Liberation Party (PLP), part of the United Opposition.
What does Martha Karua stand for?
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.
Sources (1)
Facts above come from these sources. Where they disagree, we leave the detail out. Spotted an error? Send it in.