Martha Karua, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) and former Justice Minister, is mourning the death of her father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua, who passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Kirinyaga County. The death has prompted messages of condolence from President William Ruto and political leaders from across Kenya’s political divide. 

The passing of Mwalimu Jackson Karua has been described as a major loss to the Karua family, particularly because of the important role he played in the lives of his children. Martha Karua has remembered her father as a principled teacher, a loving parent and one of her strongest supporters throughout her education, legal career and public life. 

Martha Karua announces her father’s death

Martha Karua announced the death of her father on Sunday evening. According to her account, she had travelled to Kirinyaga earlier that day together with her siblings to visit their father.

The family spent time with him and sang one of his favourite gospel hymns. At the time, they did not know that the family gathering would become their final moments together.

Karua later received the news that her father had died while she was travelling back to Nairobi.

She described the experience as one of the most difficult moments of her life and reflected on how difficult it is for anyone to lose a parent, regardless of age. 

The circumstances surrounding the death have not been extensively disclosed by the family. Reports indicate that Mwalimu Jackson Karua died at his home in Kirinyaga County on Sunday.

A father who supported Martha Karua

In her tribute, Karua portrayed her father as a major influence in her life. She said he believed in her long before she had achieved the public recognition that later came with her legal and political career.

According to Karua, her father's support began during her school years and continued through her career in law and into her years in public service.

She remembered him as a man who valued education, character and doing what was right. These values, she said, were among the important lessons he passed on to his children.

Karua also described him not only as a teacher but as a loving and dependable father who remained present for his family.

The former Justice Minister said she would miss his voice, advice and encouragement. She also expressed gratitude that she and her siblings were able to spend time with him shortly before his death. 

Mwalimu Jackson Karua’s legacy as an educator

Much of the public tribute to Jackson Karua has centred on his work as a teacher.

President Ruto described him as an educator who devoted his life to teaching and service and whose work touched generations. The President's message presented Mwalimu Karua's contribution primarily through his role as a teacher and the impact he had on those he taught. 

The description of Jackson Karua as “Mwalimu” has therefore featured prominently in the messages of condolence.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also described the late Jackson Karua as a devoted father and educator whose values continued to be reflected in his children and in the people he influenced through his work. 

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua similarly remembered him as a teacher who influenced the lives of people he taught and as a father who raised children who have participated in Kenya's public life. 

President William Ruto sends condolences

President William Ruto was among the leaders who publicly expressed condolences following the death.

In his message, Ruto said he had received the news of Mwalimu Jackson Karua’s passing with deep sorrow. He described him as a teacher who devoted his life to teaching and service and whose work touched generations. 

The President also extended his condolences directly to Martha Karua, the wider Karua family, their relatives and friends.

Ruto's message focused on honouring the life of service of the late educator and recognising the impact he had on others through his work.

The President also offered prayers for the family during the mourning period, asking God to give them strength and comfort following their loss. He concluded by praying for the soul of Mwalimu Jackson Karua to rest in eternal peace. 

Ruto’s message comes amid political differences

The condolence message is notable because Martha Karua has remained a prominent figure in Kenya's opposition politics, while President Ruto leads the national government.

However, the President's message concentrated on the death of a parent and the contribution of an educator rather than political differences.

Other political figures from different sides of Kenya's political landscape also sent messages of sympathy to Karua and her family.

The messages demonstrate that the death of a family member can bring leaders together in acknowledging personal loss, even when they belong to different political formations. Reports indicate that leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, James Orengo, Anne Waiguru, David Maraga and Justin Muturi also expressed condolences. 

Kalonzo Musyoka consoles Martha

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka also sent a message to Martha Karua following the death.

Kalonzo described the late Jackson Karua as a beloved family patriarch and offered words of encouragement to Martha and her siblings.

He urged the family to remain strong and find comfort in the life their father lived, the values he passed on and the memories they shared with him. 

Gachagua remembers the late teacher

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also joined the leaders mourning Jackson Karua.

Gachagua addressed Martha and her siblings directly, expressing sympathy for the loss of their father. He described the late Mwalimu Karua as a teacher who played an important role in shaping the lives of people he interacted with.

He also highlighted the role of the late teacher in raising his children and spoke of Martha Karua's contribution to Kenya's public life. 

Other leaders send messages of condolence

The condolences have extended beyond President Ruto, Gachagua and Kalonzo.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga expressed sympathy to the Karua family and recalled the values that Martha Karua has associated with her father, including honesty, respect and hard work.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru also mourned Jackson Karua, remembering him as a teacher, father and mentor.

Former Attorney General Justin Muturi, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and other public figures have also sent messages of sympathy. 

The range of messages reflects the public profile of Martha Karua and the significance of the loss to her family.

A painful final family visit

One of the most emotional aspects of Karua's account has been her description of the final visit with her father.

She and her siblings spent time with him in Kirinyaga and sang his favourite gospel hymn. They did not know that they were sharing their final moments together.

Karua later described those moments as something she was grateful to have experienced. Rather than remembering only the loss, she said the family could also hold on to the time they had spent together shortly before his death. 

The circumstances have given her tribute a deeply personal dimension, showing the importance of family relationships behind the public life of a prominent political figure.

The values he passed to his children

Karua's description of her father repeatedly points to education, character and integrity.

She credited him with believing in her and supporting her across different stages of her life. His influence extended from her childhood and education to her professional career and public service.

The messages from other leaders have similarly emphasised his role as an educator and father.

This has placed Jackson Karua's legacy not only within his immediate family but also within the broader community of people who remember his work as a teacher.

Burial arrangements

As of the latest reports, the family had not announced detailed burial arrangements. More information on the funeral and burial was expected to be communicated by the family. 

For now, attention remains focused on supporting Martha Karua, her siblings, grandchildren and the wider Karua family as they mourn their patriarch.