Why Martha Karua Decided To Quit The Presidential Race

Karua's announcement for a new political move has just come barely come barely a month after she declared her interest in the Presidency. Addressing the media, Karua divulged that she would begin her campaign for the Governor's seat in two weeks’ time but did not explain why the sudden change of heart. A week ago, the former Gichugu MP stated that she would neither join Jubilee nor CORD but would use Nark-Kenya to vie for any seat. “I have no affiliation to CORD or Jubilee. The party is @narckenya,” Karua affirmed. The former Justice Minister is set to compete with former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru who is also eyeing the same seat on a Jubilee ticket. Other candidates seeking the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat include Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari, Muriithi Kagai and current Governor Joseph Ndathi. Karua's new political move sparked interesting reactions with a section of the public noting that she would lead Kirinyaga in the right direction. Ms Karua announced on Twitter that she would use her Narc-Kenya party to run for the seat in a region where Mr Kenyatta's TNA, which recently merged with other parties to form the Jubilee Party, swept all elected seats in 2013 The county is also one of the few, if any, with two women running for the gubernatorial seat. Ms Karua served as the Gichugu MP for two terms and is a strong defender of the Constitution and the rule of law. Residents of Kirinyaga received the news of Ms Karua's aspirations with mixed reactions. Local Jubilee chairman Mureithi Kang'ara said Ms Karua should expect a rough ride. "The region is a Jubilee zone and it will be an uphill task for Ms Karua, whose party has minority followers in the area," he said. But the Narc-Kenya leader is most welcome to vie the coveted seat, he added. "It is her democratic right to contest a seat of her choice," he said. Incumbent Deputy Governor Julius Njiri also said Ms Karua had done nothing wrong to declare her stand. "It is her constitutional and democratic rights to vie for the seat. Let her try her luck," said Mr Njiri.