One of the tenets of maturing democracies is the right to prefer and/or choose leaders for good governance.Β As Kenya enters its electoral homestretch, she has to make very fundamental choices. That is, we must ask ourselves very important questions with regard to the quality of personalities that we are just about to elect in various levels of governance of our Country. We must appeal to reason and logic if at all we are going to rescue this country, especially from the monster of corruption, which is the single major enemy of our nation. The conversation that should guide the country towards making informed selection of leaders of integrity should be βWhy this leader and why not this other leader.β It is imperative that every voter should enumerate the leadership qualities and character of every candidate with utmost objectivity in order to arrive at the very best, hence peopleβs representatives should be the very best sons and daughters of society.
Here we explore the potential of Hon. Martha Karua as a strategic partner for winning Azimio Presidency (as Rt. Hon. Railaβs running mate), as well as being the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, if Hon Odinga wins.
I have known and observed Hon. Martha Karua for over 20 years and the following are some the major and unique qualities that gives her a competitive advantage over other pretenders to the Azimioβs running mate position, and subsequently the deputy President of Kenya:
- An epitome of courageous leadership
She speaks her mind and takes action without fear or favor so long as she is persuaded that itβs the right route to pursue, which is a strategic quality of an effective Deputy President.
- Effective communication skills
Her efficacy in communication ranges from her choice of language, clarity of mind, eloquence, to articulation of issues. This would position her as the best campaigner and marketer of the Azimio manifesto.
- Persuasiveness and appeals to reasoning and logic
Her conversation in all subject matters of national importance are always well reasoned-out and therefore very convincing. This strategically places her as the best campaigner.
- Decisiveness
She doesnβt hesitate to give the right direction after reasoning out and explicates it in light of the law as the guiding principle. She shuns neutrality and take side that she deems right
- High integrity and Christian values
Many Kenyans regard her as a unique woman leader of high moral values and integrity. This is a personality trait that makes her to be admired by many Kenyans. It will therefore legitimize her entry into the communities as she sells Azimio Manifesto and eventually inspire confidence to Kenyans. Indeed, she will not only be a Deputy President of high integrity but will also deal with corruption ruthlessly.
- Advocate and defender of human rights, justice and the rule of law
She is a staunch advocate and defender of justice, the rule of law and human rights. It is evident that she enthusiastically espouses her career with due diligence β a character that makes her to be liked by Kenyans, which strengthens her case as a running mate and the second in command in our Country.
- Experienced law advocate
Her legal career that spans for decades has made her to be recognized and awarded the high honor of a Senior Counsel.
- Experience in running all the 3 arms of government
Having been an MP for Gichugu for 20 years, justice Minister and a long serving Magistrate, she has requisite experience of running the government in all its spheres; and this experience has prepared her for national leadership, especially the position of a Deputy President. It also gives Kenyans confidence that she knows governance to the core.
- Firm, strict and principled personality
She espouses βa no nonsenseβ personality and wears serious face when matters at hand call for seriousness. Her serious face, as situation demands, resonates with the feelings of Kenyans, especially at a time like this when there are so many evils bedeviling our country.
- Her Charisma and likeability cuts across the entire nation and beyond
She is a national figure whose persistence and advocacy for good governance has lured Kenyans to like her. Whenever I travel outside Kirinyaga and mention that I come from Gichugu, the next question is always: βDo you come from the same area with Martha Karua?β When I answer in the affirmative, they always say: βI admire that lady.β
- Hails from vote-rich Mt. Kenya region
She is strategically positioned by being born and brought up in Mt. Kenya region and therefore she brings in a vote-rich constituency of more than 6 Million votes.
- Kenyan feels safe with a combination of Raila and Martha
For those who may have βunfounded fearβ of Railaβs Presidency, the coming of Martha would turn their fears into abounding faith and confidence. Indeed, it is hypothesized that by just mentioning her as Railaβs running mate, the Azimio popularity in Mt. Kenya will rise to over 50%.
- Has won many elections in the past
She has experience in winning elections and therefore an asset in Azimio as far as campaigns are concerned.
- Her philosophies and ideologies matches with Railaβs
The degree of compatibility between Railaβs and Marthaβs ideologies and philosophies is very high β meaning they will be able to agree on virtually all decisions, thus producing quality leadership.
- She has a track record of fighting for multi-party democracy
She fought for 2nd liberation and multi-party democracy as opposed to one party dictatorship. This places her on the national map as an advocate of enhancing democratic space.
- She upholds and defends constitutionalism
She was a staunch supporter of the Kenya 2010 constitution; and up to now, she monitors its full implementation without mincing words.
- Development conscious
She has initiated many development projects in Kenya when she was the Gichugu MP; and as the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
- She represents the interest of women
As a woman, she ushers in gender equality and equity in the envisaged Azimio government, a phenomenon that is anchored on the letter and spirit of the 2010 Kenyan constitution.
- She is well educated
She holds a Masterβs degree in Administration from USIU in addition to her legal studies in the University of Nairobi and the Kenya School of Law.
- She is a loyal servant to both humankind and her bosses
She worked as Water and Justice Minister with diligence and respect during the Late President Kibaki regime.
- She is a senior citizen (Amekomaa in Swahili)
Someone who is around 60 years of age is an experienced person who has weathered storms and tribulations but also has learnt a lot in the vicissitudes of life. Based on past experiences, she is therefore able to know the βDos and Dontsβ of the country.
- She comes from the centre of Mt. Kenya region
If at all Mt. Kenya region will be a factor to be considered, then she is naturally and strategically positioned since she comes from Kirinyaga which is geographically at the centre of the region. In any case, Kenya is a corruption of the word Kirinyaga or kirima kia mwene nyaga, which means the Mountain of God, which goes on to imply that the local dwellers are people of God. Seen from this background, Kirinyaga or the Kenyan people compares with the former Upper Volta, which was ably renamed Burkina Faso in 1984 to reflect the nature of the people (Burkinabe people) or the honest and incorruptible people of God. Coming from such a background, Hon Martha Karuaβs living is full of promise and hope, Azimio gains a lot from the lady from the strong mountain of God (Kirinyaga).
Conclusion
It is from the foregoing that I strongly endorse Hon. Martha Karua as the running mate for the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga; and assure Kenyans that she would make a very good Deputy President when Azimio wins and forms the government on 9 August 2022. In all this, Kenya is primarily the winner (Kenya est praesertim victorem).
