31 Aug Martha Karua is taking centre stage in Kenya’s elections: what it means for women in politics
Partners
For the first time in Kenya's history, a female candidate joins the centre stage in one of the main political coalitions in the country's elections. It is unprecedented for large political blocs with a real chance of winning a Kenyan election to have a woman as a running mate.
In May, veteran politician Martha Karua was announced as the deputy presidential candidate for the Azimio la Umoja alliance led by Raila Odinga.
Karua's background as a fervent democracy and integrity campaigner, as well as representing the important Kikuyu voting bloc in Kenyan politics, are important reasons for her appointment. Her candidacy is also interpreted as a strategy to win over female voters and signal that their concerns matter. Gender equality is on the election agenda in Kenya, with the two presidential frontrunners competing for women's votes.
The Azimio alliance has embedded a strong gender equality element in its campaigning and presented its leadership as one that promotes gender balance. Karua's candidacy has helped underscore this point.
Karua, a lawyer and former minister of justice and constitutional affairs, is a veteran politician.