People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has revealed details of her viral meeting with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, announcing a strategic alliance in a bid to overthrow President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
The veteran politician stated that their meeting marked the beginning of a new political journey based on mutual understanding and a common goal of advocating for the welfare of Kenyans.
Speaking on a local TV station on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Karua emphasized that the collaboration is not just about personal reconciliation but a broader political strategy aimed at uniting like-minded leaders opposed to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Karua revealed that their dalliance was born out of a shared belief that Kenya needs to be freed from what she termed as the chokehold of the current regime.
“It was a meeting for friendship, and we let bygones be bygones and started a journey as brother and sister, and we continue to strengthen that friendship. We pledged to work together for Kenyans and to seek other leaders and to work together with other leaders from different parts of the country who believe that Kenya needs to be rescued from the stranglehold of this rogue KK regime,” she said.
Bygones
She explained that despite their past political differences, she and Gachagua decided to set aside their disagreements for the greater good. Their partnership, she added, will bring together other leaders from different parts of the country who believe in the need for change.
Karua likened her new alliance with Gachagua to other political shifts she has experienced in her career, acknowledging that in politics, allegiances evolve. She maintained that while she respects President Ruto as a fellow Kenyan, she strongly opposes his leadership style and policies. She also referenced her past political relationship with Raila Odinga, noting that despite once working together, they have since taken different paths.
Although details of their coalition are yet to be finalized, Karua signalled that such a political formation is inevitable, given the shifting nature of Kenya’s political landscape. She expressed confidence that working with other leaders would be the most effective way to challenge the Kenya Kwanza government in the upcoming election.
“Riggy G is a Kenyan; he is my brother just like Ruto is my brother, but I don’t like how he is running the country, just like Raila is my brother and we have parted politically. At this moment, we are standing in the same place with Riggy G and other leaders, determined to relieve Kenyans of the pain that is on their backs by getting out of the KK regime. There will be a coalition; it may not be today, but it will happen in Kenya. It is now difficult to move forward without working with others,” Karua stated.
Working with Raila and Ruto
Karua also expressed her willingness to collaborate with Raila Odinga once again but made it clear that she would not support his presidential bid. Instead, she suggested that if anything, it should be the other way around, with Raila backing her.
Karua emphasized that her commitment extends beyond Raila, as she is open to working with any Kenyan for the greater good of the country. However, she firmly ruled out the possibility of being anyone’s running mate in future elections. She stated that she had no intention of assuming that role again, though she could still support a candidate without necessarily being on the ticket.
“Am I ready to work with Raila Odinga again? Yes, but not backing him, perhaps him backing me. I am ready to work not just with Raila but also with any Kenyan because we belong to the same country. I am not ready to be a running mate. I can support someone, but I am not going to run as a running mate. I am done with running mate,” Karua declared.
At the same time, Karua dismissed the idea of supporting President Ruto, citing his leadership style and priorities as reasons for her opposition. She criticized him for prioritizing personal and elite political interests over the needs of ordinary Kenyans, revealing that she had declined a proposal to work with him even before the last election.
“Not because he has shown his hand; he has shown that he has no consideration for Kenyans; he has considerations for himself and the political elite. Even in the last elections, I was approached, and I said in all honesty, No,” she said.
Leave a Reply