This tweet shared days after William Ruto’s tour to Europe and the United States claims that the deputy president appointed Martha Karua as his running mate ahead of Kenya’s general elections in August.
It further provides a link, supposedly with more information about this nomination. Another similar Facebook post with a poster of both Karua and Ruto has equally been making rounds on the internet. Details on the poster suggest that Martha Karua is supposedly going for the presidential seat as DP Ruto’s deputy.
Background
Martha Karua, NARC-Kenya’s party leader has been in the political scene since 1990, both as a former Minister for Justice, member of parliament and a presidential aspirant. Through her political career, Martha Karua is described by her fight for social justice.
These claims came just a few days after senator Kithure Kindiki made claims about Karua attending UDA’s meeting at Kasarani stadium on March 15, 2022. Claims which he later clarified.
Verification
So far Martha Karua has not yet declared interest in any political seat nor endorsed the Deputy President’s interest in going for the presidential seat. However, in early February, she said she would consider joining Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga as his running mate, and only Raila Odinga is in a position to make that decision. She held what she’s focused on at the moment is the One Kenya Alliance and Mount Kenya Unity Forum.
Now, between February 15, 2022 when UDA held the national delegate’s conference and March 18, 2022 when this fact-check was produced, there has been no communication concerning the appointment of Martha Karua as Ruto’s running mate. Not on the party’s website, this Google advanced search reveals, nor DP Ruto’s or UDA’s Twitter account.
Verdict
UDA’s party leader, William Ruto has NOT endorsed Martha Karua as his running mate.
This story was produced by Africa Uncensored in partnership with Code for Africa with support from Deutsche Welle Akademie.
Add comment