People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua at a past event. PHOTO/@MarthaKarua/X

PLP party leader Martha Karua has officially declared her intention to run for the presidency in the 2027 general election.

Addressing Kenyans in the United States during a meeting also attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, July 12, 2025, Karua made it clear that she will not take up the role of a running mate again, as she did in 2022.

“In case you hadn’t known, I am vying for the presidency. I said I am done with running mate business, having finished that era in 2022,” Martha Karua said.

Karua stated that she is committed to being on the ballot as a presidential candidate and is actively working towards that goal. She emphasised that if the opposition settles on another candidate, she will fully support the decision but will not accept a deputy role. According to her, the focus is now on winning the top seat.

“But I am also ready. If in the unlikely event another person is chosen as a candidate, I will subordinate my ambitions and support without being a running mate because Kenya is bigger than anyone else, but for now I am working so hard, and I’m going to work day and night to be that candidate,” she added

She highlighted her dedication to upholding the rule of law, noting that Kenya’s governance issues stem from its consistent disregard. With a strong legal background and years of public service, Karua believes she is well-positioned to lead the country.

“If the whole idea about governance is about rule of law, then I have those qualifications. I think I have lived up to the rule of law and good governance,” she stated.

Ruto’s police call

In this same event, Karua added her voice to the recent debate that is going around after the president issued a controversial order telling the police to shoot in the leg anybody attempting to break into other people’s businesses during protests.

Karua dismissed the directive as dangerous and unlawful. She noted that a gunshot to any part of the body, including the leg, can still be fatal and should not be normalised.

“A gunshot on any part of the body can actually finish you depending on where, so asking that unarmed people be shot is a criminal offence,” Karua stated.

Karua further termed the president’s instruction a criminal offence, warning that it violates the Constitution and undermines human rights.

She told Kenyans in the diaspora that the spirit of the 2010 Constitution, which was meant to protect citizens from state brutality, is now being eroded under Ruto’s regime.

“In the Moi era, we didn’t have the 2010 constitution; now we have a constitution which is so explicit, which has all but been suspended,” she added.