Martha Karua sets the condition under which she can work with Ruto

Martha Karua, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), has outlined the sole condition under which she is willing to collaborate with President William Ruto, ahead of the 2027 General Election. During an interview on K24 TV on August 25, 2026, Karua stated that Ruto must abandon any ambition for re-election and accept that his presidency should conclude after one term.

When questioned about trust being rebuilt between herself and Ruto, Karua dismissed such notions, describing Ruto's leadership as a failure. She insisted that any potential cooperation would necessitate Ruto stepping down from the 2027 presidential race. Karua emphasized that trust issues would hinder any collaboration, but she added that if Ruto ever joined the opposition's political movement, he must first accept that he would not be seeking another term.

She argued that Kenyans deserved new leadership after four years of Ruto's administration and that Ruto, having enjoyed the privilege of leading the country for four years, should now allow others to steer Kenya's future. Karua's stance aligns with her own presidential campaign, where she has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term, aiming to lay a robust foundation for institutional reforms instead of remaining in power indefinitely.

Her comments follow the signing of a unity agreement by opposition principals under the United Alternative Government, which committed to selecting a single presidential candidate and rallying behind the coalition's flag bearer for the 2027 General Election. Karua, one of the coalition's most vocal voices, argued that defeating Ruto requires more than identifying an opposition leader; it necessitates finding a candidate who can unite Kenyans around integrity, competence, and a shared vision for the country.