Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua has opened up about her dramatic walkout during an event hosted by former President Daniel Moi on June 16, 2001.
Karua, who was the Gichugu MP at the time, revealed that her decision to leave was driven by frustration over remarks made during the meeting.
“There was nothing else in my mind except the fury I was feeling at the time,” Karua stated, explaining that she had attended the event to honor Moi as president despite being in the opposition.
According to Karua, she was the only opposition leader present, as her colleagues had boycotted the event. However, tensions escalated when a local chairman from Moi’s party began criticizing opposition leaders, particularly Mwai Kibaki, who was viewed as a potential presidential successor.
Karua said she was deeply offended by the chairman’s remarks and approached Moi, urging him to intervene and stop the insults. She expressed disappointment that the former president allowed such disparaging comments about Kibaki.
“I demanded that he either stop him or allow me five minutes to defend my party,” she said.
Karua recounted that when Moi asked what she planned to say, she assured him she would respect his position as head of state but declined to disclose her full speech. Despite her appeal, Karua said Moi’s body language indicated he would not grant her the opportunity to speak.
Realizing the situation was unlikely to change, Karua decided to leave the event. She explained that she carefully assessed the layout of the venue and planned her exit to avoid causing unnecessary disruption.
“I couldn’t walk behind him because it would appear as though I wanted to attack him. I decided I would leave during his address,” she said.
Karua waited for Moi to begin his speech, then stood, gathered her belongings, and walked out in front of him. She offered a “DP salute” — raising her right fist high to signal her allegiance to the Democratic Party — as she exited.
Reflecting on her actions, Karua described the moment as a symbolic assertion of her right to stand by her party and her principles.
“It was like telling Moi, ‘I’m DP,’ because the law entitles me to be,” she said.
