Kirinyaga county’s first senator passes away
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 23, 2026Kirinyaga County is in mourning following the death of its former senator, Daniel Karaba.
In a statement shared on Monday, March 23, 2026, former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici expressed her condolences, describing Karaba as a devoted teacher, leader, and respected senator whose work left a lasting impact on the community.
Ngirici highlighted Karaba’s dedication to shaping minds, guiding communities, and serving with humility. She called on his family, friends, and the wider community to draw strength from the legacy he built and the many lives he positively influenced.
Ngirici extended her heartfelt condolences to Karaba’s wife, children, and all who mourn his passing, wishing him eternal peace.
“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the loss of the Hon. Senator Daniel Karaba. He was a devoted teacher, leader and respected former senator; his life touched many, shaping minds, guiding communities and serving with dedication and humility,” Ngirici says.
Daniel Karaba’s biography
Dickson Daniel Karaba, commonly known as Daniel Karaba, was a Kenyan politician born in 1948 in Kiamaina, Kirinyaga County. Before entering politics, he had a distinguished career in education, serving as a teacher and later as the principal of Kianyaga High School, where he contributed significantly to making it a centre of excellence in the region.
He also chaired the Secondary Schools Heads Association from 1984 to 1998, showcasing his leadership in the education sector. His background as an educator, often referred to as “Mwalimu”, earned him respect in Kirinyaga and laid the foundation for his transition into public service.
Waiguru mourns
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has also come out to mourn former Senator Daniel Karaba, describing him as a distinguished son of Kirinyaga whose life was defined by service, humility, and a deep commitment to education and leadership.
The governor noted that Karaba built a remarkable career as a teacher, principal, and education leader before serving as a two-term Member of Parliament for Kirinyaga Central and later as a senator.
Waiguru added that she joins the people of Kirinyaga and the entire nation in mourning his loss, extending her heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all those he impacted. She prayed that his soul rest in eternal peace.
“We have lost a distinguished son of Kirinyaga, Hon. Daniel Karaba, whose life was defined by service, humility, and a deep commitment to education and leadership. Mwalimu Karaba built a remarkable career as a teacher, principal, and education leader before serving as a two-term Member of Parliament for Kirinyaga Central and later as Senator.”
Political history
Karaba ventured into politics in 2002 during Kenya’s multiparty era shift, contesting and winning the Kirinyaga Central parliamentary seat on the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) ticket amid the historic defeat of KANU’s long rule. This victory marked his entry into the National Assembly, where he served from 2003 to 2007.
During his tenure as MP, he focused on education-related matters and chaired the Education Committee in the 9th Parliament, aligning with his professional expertise. However, he lost the seat in the 2007 general election to John Ngata Kariuki amid a competitive political landscape.
In the post-2010 Constitution era, which introduced devolution and the Senate, Karaba shifted his focus to county-level representation. In 2013, he ran for the Kirinyaga County senatorial seat under The National Alliance (TNA), part of the Jubilee Alliance coalition led by Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.
He secured a resounding victory, polling 215,977 votes in a landslide, reflecting strong local support in the predominantly Mount Kenya region. As senator from 2013 to 2017, he chaired the Senate Education Committee in the 11th Parliament, continuing his advocacy for educational reforms and oversight.
After his senatorial term ended in 2017, Karaba did not retain the seat and stepped back from frontline elective politics, though he remained affiliated with Jubilee Party structures.
He occasionally appeared in public discourse, including in relation to election petitions and local Kirinyaga matters, such as a 2020 attempt to challenge or withdraw a poll case involving his successor.
In the run-up to the 2022 general elections, Karaba joined Mwangi Kiunjuri’s TSP party but later ditched it and joined the Jubilee party after his party leader began aligning with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).