Why Karua isn’t looking back

Presidential candidate Martha Karua brooks no nonsense. She has no room in her life for injustice and certainly none for undue pressure, personal or political.

Her first public act of defiance was directed at former President Moi in her Gichugu constituency in 1992 when she walked out on the Head of State. Reason? She was not given a chance to address the crowd because she was critical of Mr Moi.

She walked out a second time in 1997 and this time, although every speaker was charging the crowd to respond with the Kanu slogan, she held up a clenched fist – the political symbol of the Democratic Party to which she belonged.

And in 2009, she walked out on President Kibaki when she resigned from the Cabinet, saying her hands were tied at the Justice ministry and that she lacked the space she needed to do her job effectively.

In just one year, the Gichugu MP had turned from the most hawkish supporter of President Kibaki’s administration into a harsh critic.

In the recently leaked diplomatic cables, the former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer describes Ms Karua as one of “the hardliners” in Mr Kibaki’s inner circle.

“President Kibaki seemed reasonable and could be influenced with a well-argued point; but members of his team, like Ms Karua, were clearly more hardline in their positions and do not seem truly interested in dialogue with ODM,” says the cable released by WikiLeaks.

But Ms Karua said she is not looking back and does not care much about what her critics think. This week, she became the first 2012 presidential candidate to officially launch a campaign.

“I do not expect detractors or competitors to praise me. I only consult the people I think are crucial, depending on the issues. In 2003-05, I led the water sector reforms. I would not have succeeded without engaging stakeholders. I was part of the Serena Eight in 2008; I was deputy leader of government business at the height of political temperatures. Could I have done all this without accommodating others’ views?” she asked in an interview with the Sunday Nation.

She might not be exceptionally good at handling crowds or journalists but she is in her element in Parliament, where she has cast herself as the champion of the downtrodden.

Ms Karua is an astute debater and often applies her keen legal mind to keep the government on its toes, most recently over the fate of internally displaced persons.

Does not shy away

She also does not shy away from taking on the big boys and was recently in the news for telling the Ocampo Six to go The Hague quietly. She said so in Parliament with Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta – one of the suspects summoned by the International Criminal Court – seated across from her.

Ms Karua has no qualms taking on those she was formerly on the same side with in her days as a PNU hardliner. She recently criticised Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi’s performance when MPs took time off the normal order of business to discuss the rising cost of fuel and food.

Political analysts who talked to the Sunday Nation described her as determined, consistent, principled and strong in character.

Joshua Kivuva, a political science lecturer at the University of Nairobi said, “she passes the leadership test contained in Chapter Six in the Constitution with flying colours”.

“Her determination, consistency and ability to both understand and articulate complex issues make her stand out as a good leader,” said Dr Kivuva.

Frank Matanga, a professor of political science at Masine Muliro University, said she may still find it hard to convince Kenyans she has what it takes to become president.

“She already has an impact, we agree, but perhaps she would have fared better (in opinion polls) if she was a running mate for one of the other presidential candidates,” said Prof Matanga.

He bases his argument on the fact that she would be perceived as not having been on the political scene long enough to take a shot at the presidency.

Dr Kivuva said she could improve her credentials by saying what she would do to address the increased cost of living if she were elected, as well as reaching out to women.

However, Ms Karua seems to have commanded quite a following among the youth. She was nominated as a role model at the recent Chaguo la Teeniez Awards and has 128,212 fans on Facebook and 11,613 followers on Twitter, which are social forums dominated by the youth.

Mr Kenyatta has 67,788 fans on Facebook, while Prime Minister Raila Odinga has 65,141, Eldoret North MP William Ruto has 44,317 and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has 12,493.

Prof Egara Kabaji, the director of public communication and publishing at Masinde Muliro University, said Ms Karua’s “intellect and gift of the gab” would appeal to intellectuals and likely endear her to a diverse section of the population.

Prof Kabaji notes one of her best strategies is that she has not mobilised support along ethnic lines.

“Very soon, Kenyans will discover the lie behind mobilising along ethnic lines. The realisation is coming in that hunger is hunger and there are only two tribes in Kenya; the poor and the rich,” said Prof Kabaji.

Almost suicidal support

But she could have an uphill task convincing the electorate due to her “obsessive, almost suicidal support for President Kibaki after the flawed elections, which is a cross she must carry”, the professor says.

Over the last 19 years, Ms Karua has bestridden Gichugu constituency like a colossus. She is serving her fourth term in Parliament, making her not only the longest-serving lawmaker in Gichugu but in the entire Kirinyaga County since independence.

Ms Karua was first elected to Parliament in 1992 after she defeated Geoffrey Kareithi, a former powerful head of civil service.

After her departure from Cabinet, Ndia MP Njeru Githae, who was then the Transport assistant minister, was elevated to minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development, a docket formerly held by the current Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutua Kilonzo.

Mr Githae has since asserted that he is the spokesman of Kirinyaga County, arguing that because he is a minister, he is the senior-most politician, thus Ms Karua has no basis talking on behalf of the county. True to her character, Ms Karua dismiseed him saying she plays in a different league as a party leader.

And in her home turf, the official launch of her presidential bid has been received with mixed reactions, with her critics dismissing her chances.

“She can’t be elected because she is a lone ranger. As Narc-Kenya leader, Ms Karua has refused to work with other political parties and she won’t go far,” Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari said.

Mr Gitari claimed Ms Karua was not fit to be president because of her combative politics and hot temper. “She can only do well as a leader of opposition in Parliament,” he said.

And while Mr Githae wished Ms Karua “good luck” in her endeavours, he cautioned that no party in the PNU coalition can make it to State House alone.

“In my view, anybody who thinks he or she can win the presidency alone is not being truthful to the ... entire country.”

The minister claimed Ms Karua would not get all the votes in her constituency and wondered how she would reach out to voters in other counties. “She must have been sure that she will bag all votes from the area before launching her campaign.”

Mr Githae added that the PNU alliance had offered Ms Karua a chance to join Mr Kenyatta, Mr Musyoka, Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and National Development assistant minister Peter Kenneth’s team where she would have had a good chance of winning in 2012 if she won the party’s presidential nominations.

However, Ms Karua’s supporters praised the move to launch her presidential campaign, saying it was long overdue.

Former Ndia MP James Kibicho described Ms Karua as a shrewd, intelligent and capable leader who could lead the nation and make it a better place.

Mr Kibicho, who has declared his candidature for the governor’s post in the county, said Ms Karua had a good vision for the country and should be given a chance to serve as president.