Martha Karua: Leadership is a call to serve, not a title to hold
By Emmanuel Rono, March 30, 2026People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has urged a change in how elected leaders view public office, stressing that leadership is a responsibility and not a title to hold.
Taking to her official X account on Monday, March 30, 2026, Karua redefined the nature of high office, stripping away the prestige of the position to focus on the grit of public service.
She challenged the mindset that an election victory confers a permanent status on the winner.
“Elected office is not a title deed that one is entitled to hold. It is a call to serve and to remain accountable to the people who hire you and can also fire you. We need to end the culture of entitlement in leadership,” Karua stated.
Serving a single five-year term
The former cabinet minister stressed the need to end the culture of entitlement in public leadership, adding that if elected president, she is committed to serving a single five-year term, focusing on a strong foundation for the transformation of the country.
According to Karua, a five-year term is enough for the leader to deliver an expected change due to well-defined priorities.
Embrace accountability
She cited the reforms in her previous leadership at the Ministry of Water as a proven example that significant, real reforms can be achieved with clarity and commitment.
“As president, I am prepared to serve one term, focused on laying a strong foundation for the transformation we need. Five years is enough to deliver meaningful change when priorities are right. I did it before in the Ministry of Water; real reforms can be achieved with clarity and commitment,” Karua said.
She called on political leaders to embrace accountability, claiming that it is time for the Kenyans to build a culture that calls to account accountability and not entitlement in public office.
“It is time we build a culture that demands accountability, not entitlement, in public office,” Karua noted.