People Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has said that the best way to honour the late Raila Odinga is by defending the democratic ideals he lived and fought for.
Speaking during a televised political talk show on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the flower party leader revealed what her short but powerful message would have been had she been allowed to speak at Raila’s final send-offin Bondo.
Karua said she would have taken less than two minutes to remind Kenyans that Raila’s lifelong struggle was for a multi-party democracy and constitutional order — principles she vowed to continue defending.
“I would have said that we fought for multi-party democracy, which is enshrined in our constitution. I will therefore remain in the opposition, because the constitution provides for it. Any attempt to unite all parties under one roof goes against that spirit,” she said.
Karua stressed that true respect for Raila’s memory is not in emotional speeches or political alliances, but in staying faithful to the ideals he represented — justice, freedom, and accountability.
“The greatest honour we can give Raila is to follow his ideals, uphold multi-partisanship, and protect the rights of citizens. The regime must stop violating people’s rights through abductions and torture,” she added.
Karua, who was Raila’s running mate in the 2022 presidential election under the Azimio la Umoja political coalition, and his long-time ally in the struggle for democracy, insisted that the former Primier gave up much of his life for Kenya’s political freedom.
She maintained that her commitment to opposition politics remains firm, and that Raila’s spirit of resistance should continue to guide the nation.
“I didn’t need more than 90 seconds to speak. The truth doesn’t need a long speech,” she noted.
Her comments come just days after Raila’s emotional send-off in Bondo, where leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to his legacy. Karua’s statement has since reignited discussion about the future of opposition politics in Kenya and the need to protect the democratic space that Raila helped create.
