𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐚

People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua is mourning the death of her father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua, who died on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Kirinyaga County.

Karua announced the death in a statement on Sunday evening, saying she had travelled to Kirinyaga earlier in the day to visit her father together with her siblings.

The family spent time with him and sang his favourite gospel hymn, unaware that it would be their final time together.

“Earlier today, I went to Kirinyaga to visit my father. My siblings and I spent time with him and sang his favourite gospel hymn, never knowing it would be our last song together,” Karua said.

She later received news of his death while travelling back to Nairobi.

“On my way back to Nairobi, I received the news that my beloved father had breathed his last,” she said.

Karua said she was grateful that she and her siblings had an opportunity to sit with their father and share those final moments.

“There is never really an age at which you are prepared to say goodbye to someone who has been part of your life from the very beginning,” she said.

The PLP leader remembered her father as a principled teacher who valued education, good character and doing what was right.She also credited him with supporting her throughout her life, from her school days and legal career to her years in public service.

“My father believed in me long before I had achieved anything worth celebrating. From my school days, through my career in law, and through the many chapters of my public life, he remained one of my strongest supporters,” Karua said.

She described him as a loving, generous and dependable father whose values shaped the family.

“To us, above all, he was a loving father, steady, generous, and present. He gave us not only his love but also the values by which he lived, and in doing so, left us a legacy far greater than words can capture,” she said.

Karua said her father’s death was a major loss to his children, grandchildren, extended family and the many people whose lives he touched.

Messages of condolence have since come from leaders across Kenya’s political divide.

President William Ruto described Mwalimu Jackson Karua as a teacher who dedicated his life to education and service and whose work touched generations.

He extended his condolences to Martha Karua, the wider Karua family, relatives and friends.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Attorney General Justin Muturi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, former Chief Justice David Maraga and other leaders also sent messages of condolence to the family.

The leaders expressed sympathy to Karua and her family and wished them strength and comfort as they mourned.