Martha Karua, a veteran politician, is once again at the forefront of Kenya’s political landscape. She recently spearheaded the rebranding of NARC-Kenya into the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), a move aimed at uniting the opposition and challenging President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. The unveiling of PLP has intensified discussions around forming a united opposition front, with key political figures rallying behind the idea of fielding a single candidate to take on the Kenya Kwanza administration.

At the party’s launch, Karua stood alongside opposition heavyweights, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Representing former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka emphasised the coalition’s shared commitment to “liberate the country from the yokes of oppression” and to back a single flagbearer.

But Karua is no stranger to opposition politics. Born on September 22, 1957, in Kirinyaga County, she has built a formidable career as a long-serving Member of Parliament for Gichugu Constituency and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She served as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, playing a pivotal role in legal and governance reforms until her resignation in April 2009.

Dubbed the “Iron Lady” for her fierce political stance, she has consistently been at the centre of Kenya’s democratic struggles. In the early 1990s, at the height of Kenya’s push for multiparty democracy, she made a name for herself by offering free legal representation to pro-democracy activists, including Koigi wa Wamwere, who was facing treason charges. Her legal career also extends beyond Kenya’s borders—she is currently supporting the legal team representing Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye as he faces politically motivated charges.

In 2013, she made history as the only woman to vie for the presidency, running against Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. In 2017, she contested the Kirinyaga governorship under NARC-Kenya but lost to Anne Waiguru of the Jubilee Party. Undeterred, Karua remained a key player in national politics. In 2022, she was selected as Raila Odinga’s running mate under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, becoming the first woman in Kenya’s history to be on a major presidential ticket.