Martha Wangari Karua is a revered Kenyan politician. She is a former long-standing member of parliament for Gichugu Constituency and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She was Minister of Justice until resigning from that position in April 2009.
Background
Martha Karua was born on the 22nd of September 1957 in Kirinyaga District, Central Province of Kenya; she is the second born in a family of eight siblings, four girls and four boys. She had a humble upbringing that instilled in her lessons and values she still carries today. One lesson Martha regards highly is the sense of duty she learned in seeing her family and neighbors, even with the little they had, caring for those with less or without.
Education
Martha Wangari Karua attended Kabare Girls Boarding school before joining Kiburia girl’s secondary school, and then had a stint at Ngiriambu girls before settling at Karoti girls where she sat for her East African School Certificate. This was in the early 70’s when secondary schools were scarce and most of those available were the so called Harambees with government ones being so limited. The youthful Karua then proceeded to Nairobi girls (now State House) high school where after passing her EASCE embarked on her A levels. Upon successful completion of her A levels, Karua joined the University of Nairobi where she enrolled for a law degree from 1977 to 1980. Between 1980 and 1981 she was enrolled at the Kenya School of Law for the statutory post graduate law course that is a prerequisite to admission to the Kenyan roll of advocates and licensing to practice law in Kenya.
Martha Karua worked in the Judiciary as a District Magistrate rising to a Senior Resident Magistrate at the time of exit in 1987. During this period, she was in charge of Makadara Law Courts from 1984 to 1985 and Kibera Law Courts from 1986 to 1987 when she left to start her own law firm. In 1987 Martha Karua formed Martha Karua & Co. Advocates which she operated till the year 2002. While in practice, Karua presented many pro bono cases notable among them the treason trial of Koigi Wamwere and where she represented the late Hon. Mirugi Kariuki.
Karua was a member of the opposition political movements that successfully agitated for the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in Kenya in the early 1990s. Kenya was at the time under the authoritarian rule of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), the only legally recognised political party in Kenya and which was led by president Daniel arap Moi.
Martha Karua joined Kenneth Matiba's Ford-Asili party but lost the party nomination ticket to the wealthy and influential former Head of Public Service Geoffrey Kareithi. She was then offered a ticket and support by the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) elders who wanted a clean break from the Kareithi – Nahashon Njuno rivalry. Karua won the 1992 general election to become the MP for Gichugu constituency and the first woman lawyer to be popularly elected to Parliament. She was also appointed as the party's legal affairs secretary between 1992 and 1997.
In 1998, Karua declined the position of Shadow Minister for Culture and Social Services which conflicted with her position of National Secretary for Constitutional Affairs (an elected office) that made her the official spokesperson on legal matters of the party. She opted to resign her position as the National Secretary.
In 2001, when the Constitutional Review Bill was laid before the House, the entire Opposition with the exception of Karua walked out of Parliament. The Bill had been rejected by the Opposition as well as Civil Society but Karua was of the view that as elected representatives, instead of walking out, it would be more prudent to remain in Parliament and put the objections on record. She therefore chose to remain in the Parliament and her objections to the Bill were duly recorded in the Hansard.
Until 6 April 2009 she was the Minister of Justice, National Cohesion & Constitutional Affairs. She also previously served as the Minister of Water Resources Management & Development, and was behind the implementation of the Water Act 2002, which has since then accelerated the pace of water reforms and service provision in Kenya.
Martha Karua resigned as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on 6 April 2009, citing frustrations in discharging her duties. A clear example of her frustrations was when President Mwai Kibaki appointed Judges without her knowledge a few days before her resignation. She was the first Minister to resign voluntarily since 2003.
Achievements
Religion
Martha Karua is a devout Christian. She urged religious leaders to help politicians better the Kenyan society.
Addressing the congregation at the launch of the Christian Women of Kenya Organisation at the Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Valley Road, Ms Karua said the organisation would provide women with a platform on which to contribute to nation-building.
“Where politics has failed the country, moral leaders from the church should come in and assist,” Ms Karua said.
She added: “Women can do what needs to be done. I believe in the power of one. It is of significant importance that Christian women have united to do what we want for this country.”
Christian Women of Kenya has membership from across all Christian denominations.
Vice-chairperson of the organisation Judy Mbugua said they would support political aspirants who display positive religious beliefs in their leadership.
She added that women should respect men but that should not make them the weaker gender.
Ms Karua also called upon women to pray for families and peace, adding that it is women that make the family and form homes, and therefore should be in the forefront in propagating peace in society.
Politics
Her political views are seen in her services to the people of Kenya. As an MP, Martha has served in two ministerial positions. First as Minister of Water, she successfully rolled out water sector reforms and laid the foundation for the revival of the extensive irrigation projects currently in place across Kenya. Second as Minister of Justice, thereafter, Justice & Constitutional Affairs where she oversaw key legislation that set grounds for strengthening the electoral, national reconciliation processes and notably the constitutional process. Martha is particularly proud of the framework and timeline that was put in place, during her tenure as Minister, to ensure the constitution process was protected from partisan interests so that Kenyans could finally have a new constitution. “One of my proudest moments was watching the crowds cheer in jubilation as we promulgated the new constitution. That moment was worth all the hard work and long hours my team and I had put to ensure we gave Kenyans a document that could put us on a new path.”
Despite her resignation, Martha has continued her commitment to serving Kenyans more than ever as a backbencher and party leader in NARC Kenya. Throughout her extensive experience in government, Martha has demonstrated resilience and remained untainted by the corruption and bad governance practices that have characterized the Kenyan government. Martha remains passionate about her sense of duty to the Kenyan people and to moving them and Kenya to greater heights.
Views
Quotations:
“The rule of law is in jeopardy and the government and people of Kenya will not continue to stand and watch as things run as usual... the Judiciary must get down to work and make changes now. If it does not, the people shall.”
“While the Judiciary readily issues injunctions against the investigation of suspects purportedly in support of their constitutional rights, it has done little to expedite the hearing of anti-corruption cases.”
“The reactions are just the encouragement I need ... I can chew gum and walk at the same time.”
“The role of Parliament is to be watchdog while that of the government is to serve the people. When a query relating to a ministry is raised, the minister responsible must not take it as a challenge, unless he has something to hide.”
“It is not too early and I will continue without fear... “Even as I campaign for my party Narc-Kenya I am still doing my ministerial work.”
“Some members in the original Narc have now ganged up with members of the former regime to frustrate the graft war by politicizing it.”
Personality
Karua has the image of being combative and a woman of unbending resolve. At one time in her Kirinyaga District when KANU was still in power, Karua dramatically walked out on President Moi who was then addressing a crowd in the district stadium. This was an unusual display of open defiance against Moi, who was then feared and ruled the country with an iron fist.
She was referred to as "the only man" in the PNU Cabinet.
Quotes from others about the person
Imanyara : “Hon Martha Karua refutes in the strongest terms possible the utterly malicious allegations made by MP Moses Karua to the effect that she procured witnesses against Deputy President William Ruto jointly with he, Moses Karua. Hon Karua has instructed me as an advocate to move to court both here and at the ICC to clear her name and also to hold Moses Karua to account for his desperate and defamatory allegations aimed at tarnishing her name and reputation. Hon Karua will be responding more comprehensively when she gets full transcript of the allegations of Moses Kuria tomorrow.”
Party politics in Kenya, 1963-2000
The Kenya People's Union (KPU) emerged in 1966, a radical party ready to challenge the domination of KANU, until it was banned in October 1969. This party did not last long enough to qualify for study under the ICPP criterion of strength and stability. Apart from the KPU there were no other parties formed after 1962 that terminated before 2000. However, there has been a significant growth of parties during the 1990s, parties that are still continuing in 2000.
The other side of Martha Karua
Her mother describes her as loving, caring, generous, friendly and humble – not just to her family – but to many people.
In 1991 Karua was recognised by Human Rights Watch as a human rights monitor.
In December 1995 she was awarded by the Federation of Kenya Women Lawyers (FIDA) for advancing the cause of women.
In 1999 the Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists awarded her the 1999 Kenya Jurist of the Year and in the same year same month, the law society of Kenya (LSK) awarded her the Legal Practitioners Due Diligence Award
In 1991 Karua was recognised by Human Rights Watch as a human rights monitor.
In December 1995 she was awarded by the Federation of Kenya Women Lawyers (FIDA) for advancing the cause of women.
In 1999 the Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists awarded her the 1999 Kenya Jurist of the Year and in the same year same month, the law society of Kenya (LSK) awarded her the Legal Practitioners Due Diligence Award