Karua accuses section of MPs of manipulating public participation in lawmaking process
Citing past incidents such as chaotic sessions at Bomas of Kenya, Karua said dissenting voices are often silenced or denied access to public forums, undermining the democratic intent of the Constitution.
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has raised concern over what she calls the manipulation of public participation in making laws, warning that the process intended to give citizens a voice has instead become a tool that excludes divergent opinion.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Karua said that while bills go through three readings in Parliament, with the second stage allowing debate and amendments, the introduction of public participation after the 2010 Constitution was meant to make lawmaking more inclusive.
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She, however, accused some Members of Parliament and committees of turning the process into a controlled exercise, where only selected voices are invited while opposing views are deliberately shut out.
“The First Reading is like giving notice, then you move to the Second Reading,” said Karua. “The process changed after the 2010 Constitution because, after the First Reading comes public participation, so that the views of the public are taken into account. But I have an issue with the way public participation is executed,” she added. “Members of Parliament and committees often manipulate the process.”
Citing past incidents such as chaotic sessions at Bomas of Kenya, Karua said dissenting voices are often silenced or denied access to public forums, undermining the democratic intent of the Constitution.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, Karua said she remains focused on her political future, declaring her intention to run for president under the banner of the People’s Liberation Party, which is part of the United Opposition coalition.
“I look ahead at the possibilities before me, and there’s an election coming in 2027,” said Karua. “There’s a chance for me to be the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya, the President. I’ve already declared and received the go-ahead from the People’s Liberation Party, which is part of the United Opposition. My duty now is to work hard to market myself and the ideals of the party so that I can become its flag bearer and run for president,” she said.
On economic matters, Karua said her party is developing its position on odious debt, noting that the United Opposition is preparing a joint document on the issue. She linked the debt crisis to weak governance, stressing that Kenya must strengthen accountability systems to prevent the accumulation of questionable loans.
She linked the debt crisis to weak governance, stressing that Kenya must strengthen accountability systems to prevent the accumulation of questionable loans.
“You cannot talk of odious debt without first talking of governance because that’s how we get there. To stop odious debt and to address it, you need to improve governance. Everything rests on governance,” she said.
Karua also paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as a lifelong champion of democracy whose political journey was marked by sacrifice, courage, and dedication to the people. She said true honour to Raila lies not in posthumous awards but in upholding the principles he fought for: justice, accountability, and protection of citizens’ rights.
“Raila’s life, most of his life, was always in trenches fighting for the people; in fact, together with his family, it was a sacrifice that he involved the family,” she said.“He was away from the family many times because of his stand in fighting for his people on fighting for people,” Karua added.
Karua criticised President William Ruto for signing several Bills on the morning news of Raila’s death broke, saying he failed to show respect for the fallen leader. “He didn’t even pause for a moment of silence. He quickly went ahead and signed those bills, which Kenyans are now realising are oppressive,” she said.
The former Justice Minister said that to truly honour Raila, Kenya’s leadership must go beyond speeches and ceremonies.
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