On June 16, 2001, Martha Karua, then Member of Parliament for Gichugu, attended a fundraiser at Moi Kerugoya Stadium in her constituency, Kirinyaga County.
At the time, Karua was a member of the Democratic Party (DP), which was affiliated with Mwai Kibaki, then MP for Othaya.
The event, a Harambee (fundraiser), was boycotted by several opposition leaders after learning that President Daniel Arap Moi would be in attendance. Karua, however, was the only opposition politician who chose to attend.
In addition to President Moi, several senior KANU leaders were present, including Vice President Prof. George Saitoti, Trade and Industry Minister Nicholas Biwott, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, and KANU Secretary General J.J. Kamotho.
Karua was seated in the front row, just three seats away from the President. The event began with speeches from local KANU leaders, many of whom used the platform to criticise the opposition.
Martha Karua Walks Out on Moi
Observing from her seat, Karua grew visibly agitated.
When President Moi rose to speak, Karua walked in front of the dais, gave the DP’s signature clenched-fist salute, and exited the event, waving in defiance beside the red carpet.
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As she walked out, some KANU members shouted at her, but they soon fell silent after realising that the crowd was not responding negatively to her action.
In his speech, President Moi criticised Karua for walking out, calling her behaviour disrespectful to men.
“Na mama mmoja anajitokeza, na kwa desturi, mama kwa Kiafrika lazima aheshimu wanaume. Na mimi nauliza, wanawake mko wapi kudiscipline mmoja wenu amevuka mpaka?” Moi said.
People’s Liberation Party Leader Explains Why She Walked Out on Moi
Years later, Karua explained that her decision to walk out stemmed from the insults directed at the opposition by KANU leaders. She revealed that she had privately urged President Moi to call the speakers to order, but he declined to intervene.
“One of the local chairmen started talking ill of the opposition, actually saying that we are mad—us in the opposition—to imagine that Kenya could ever be ruled from Othaya. He meant that the idea of Mwai Kibaki becoming President was crazy. I thought that was in very bad taste, especially since opposition parties were legally recognised by the Constitution,” Karua said.
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Karua, who had asked for a chance to respond, was denied the opportunity by senior KANU officials sitting nearby.
President Moi, who noticed her frustration, also refused her request to speak, reportedly assuring her that he wouldn’t repeat the attacks but still denying her a rebuttal.
As Moi began his address, Karua stood up, left the dais, and walked out of the stadium, holding high the Democratic Party’s clenched-fist symbol in protest.
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