Martha Karua has declared that she will no longer accept a running mate position, setting her sights firmly on leading the opposition as its presidential flag bearer in the next General Election.
Speaking during a media interview on Monday, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader made it clear that her political journey has now shifted, saying her focus is on securing the top seat within the opposition coalition.
Karua emphasised that while discussions within the coalition had previously centred on presenting a single presidential candidate, she intends to position herself for that role. She stated that she will do everything within her means to ensure she emerges as the coalition’s preferred candidate.
At the same time, the seasoned politician ruled out any possibility of serving as a deputy again, describing that chapter of her political career as closed. She maintained that her decision is firm and non-negotiable, even as coalition talks continue to shape the opposition’s strategy ahead of 2027.
Despite her stance, Karua reiterated her commitment to unity within the opposition, noting that she is ready to support any candidate who is eventually selected. However, she clarified that such support would not come with conditions or expectations of being named a running mate.
Her remarks signal a delicate balancing act between personal ambition and coalition unity, as opposition leaders seek to consolidate support and avoid fragmentation in the run-up to the next election cycle.
Karua further explained that her position is informed by what she described as the current state of the country, which she believes requires focused leadership and decisive action. She stressed that her priority remains addressing the challenges facing Kenyans, adding that she would not engage in actions that could weaken the coalition.
The PLP leader previously served as a running mate in the 2022 General Election, where she partnered with opposition leader Raila Odinga. Her latest declaration now marks a significant shift in her political trajectory as she seeks to take a more central role in shaping the country’s leadership.
With early political alignments already taking shape, Karua’s announcement is expected to influence ongoing negotiations within the opposition as leaders position themselves for what is shaping up to be a competitive 2027 race.
