Fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined leaders and residents in Kirinyaga County for the burial of former Senator Daniel Karaba.

The ceremony, held at Karaba’s rural home on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, drew a host of political leaders, family members, and mourners who paid tribute to the late legislator’s legacy of public service and leadership.

Among the leaders in attendance are Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiangi, James Orengo and various senators and MPs, among other leaders.

Senator Daniel Karaba died on Monday, March 23, 2026, following a short illness.

Karaba 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.

Daniel Karaba’s biography

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.