Ruto’s Message to Martha Karua After Father's Death

President William Ruto has sent a message of condolence to PLP leader Martha Karua and her family following the death of her father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua. 

In a statement on Sunday, September 27, Ruto mourned Mwalimu Karua, describing him as a teacher who dedicated his life to serving others and whose work touched generations. 

"I have received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of Martha Karua. Mwalimu Karua devoted his life to teaching and service, touching generations through his work and leaving a lasting impact on many lives," he wrote. 

Ruto extended his condolences to Karua, her family, relatives and friends as they mourned the loss of their patriarch.

"We join Martha, the Karua family, relatives and friends in mourning this loss and honouring a life of service," he added.

Ruto also offered prayers for the family, asking God to give them strength and comfort during the period of mourning.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. May God grant them strength and comfort, and may the soul of Mwalimu Jackson Karua rest in eternal peace," he concluded.

In a statement, Karua said her father died after she and her siblings visited him in Kirinyaga County.

She said they spent time with him and sang one of his favourite gospel hymns, unaware that it would be their final time together.

"Earlier today, I went to Kirinyaga to visit my father. My siblings and I spent time with him and sang his favourite gospel hymn, never knowing it would be our last song together," she wrote.

Karua said she received the news of her father's death while travelling back to Nairobi.

"On my way back to Nairobi, I received the news that my beloved father had breathed his last," she added.

Reflecting on the final moments she spent with her father, Karua said she was grateful that she and her siblings had the opportunity to sit beside him and share time together.

"We were simply grateful to sit beside him, to see him and spend that time together. I did not know I would soon be looking back on those moments with such tenderness, but I am deeply grateful to have them," she further said.

Karua said the loss of a parent remains difficult regardless of age, noting the significance her father had in her life from childhood.

"There is never really an age at which you are prepared to say goodbye to someone who has been part of your life from the very beginning," she noted.

Karua recalled the support her father gave her throughout her education, legal career and public life, saying he believed in her long before she had achievements to celebrate.

"My father believed in me long before I had achieved anything worth celebrating. From my school days, through my career in law, and through the many chapters of my public life. He remained one of my strongest supporters, always proud, always encouraging, and always in my corner," she stated.

Karua also remembered her father as a teacher and principled man who placed importance on character, education and doing what was right, while describing his role within the family as that of a loving and dependable father.

"My father was a principled man, a teacher, and a man who believed deeply in the value of character, education, and doing what is right. But to us, above all, he was a loving father, steady, generous, and present.

"He gave us not only his love but also the values by which he lived, and in doing so, left us a legacy far greater than words can capture," she wrote.

Karua said she would miss her father's voice, counsel and encouragement, but would continue to carry the lessons and love he gave her.

"I will miss his voice, his counsel, his encouragement, and the quiet reassurance of knowing that he was there. I will miss having my father to turn to, but I will carry with me everything he taught me, the love he gave me, and the belief he always had in me," she said.

In her tribute, Karua thanked her father for supporting her throughout her life and expressed gratitude for having been his daughter.

"To my father, thank you for believing in me, for standing beside me, and for loving me through every chapter of my life. I am deeply grateful to have been your daughter. Huruka thayu, baba. You will be deeply missed, dearly loved, and forever remembered," she concluded.