Kenyans get rare glimpse of Martha Karua’s parents’ mansion amid visits over father’s death

Kenyans have been given a rare glimpse of the lavish Kirinyaga home belonging to People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua’s parents as she continues to receive political leaders, friends and other mourners following the death of her father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua.

The sprawling property, which has largely remained away from the public eye, has a huge compound with a well-maintained lawn that has in recent days been transformed into a reception area as the family continues to host streams of mourners coming to condole with Karua following her father’s death.

Tents have been erected within the compound to accommodate the steady flow of visitors, with the expansive grounds providing ample space for mourners to gather and pay their respects to the family.

Videos showing opposition leaders arriving at the home after Jackson’s death have offered a rare look at the property, revealing a large black gate at the entrance leading into the expansive compound.

The home is enclosed by a high perimeter wall fitted with an electric fence, while additional material has been installed along the upper section of the wall, making it even taller and providing the family with an added layer of privacy.

Cabros have also been installed along the driveway, providing covered parking spaces within the expansive compound as visitors continue to arrive at the family home.

At the centre of the property stands a large mansion whose design incorporates additional bungalow-like extensions on either side, giving the home an expansive appearance. A large balcony-like feature dominates the main entrance, adding to the imposing design of the house.

The main house is topped with a red-tiled roof, with numerous solar panels installed across the roof alongside what appears to be a solar-powered water-heating system, reflecting the family’s use of alternative energy solutions within the property.

The spacious compound and carefully maintained exterior have now become more visible to the public as political leaders and other prominent figures make their way to the home to stand with Karua and her family during the period of mourning.

However, the recent videos are not the first time Karua has offered her followers glimpses of the property.

Prior to the arrival of mourners following her father’s death, the PLP leader had occasionally shared moments from the family home on her social media pages, offering her followers a glimpse into the private space she shares with her parents and siblings.

In one TikTok video she shared in 2025, Karua was seen enjoying a game of basketball within the expansive compound, with a basketball hoop installed at one of the higher sections of the property.

The video showed the politician dribbling the ball across the compound before attempting to shoot it through the hoop, giving her followers a glimpse of another side of the family home away from her public and political life.

The interior of the house has also previously featured in videos shared by the PLP leader, offering an even closer look at the family’s living space.

Inside, the sitting room features a carefully arranged display of old family photographs mounted on a wall, with some of the images showing Karua alongside her parents and offering a visual record of the family’s journey over the years.

The home features several rooms, including a guest sitting room, and its interiors have been furnished in a modern style, with strategically positioned lights adding a warm glow to different sections of the rooms.

Some of the sitting-room furniture features brown leather seats, complementing the other furnishings and giving the space a distinctly contemporary appearance.

The home has now taken on a different significance as it becomes the centre of mourning following the death of Karua’s father, with political leaders from across the divide making their way to the family compound to offer condolences.

The loss

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, Karua travelled to Kirinyaga to spend time with her father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua, alongside her siblings, in what would turn out to be their final moments together.

The family spent time with the retired teacher at his home and sang one of his favourite gospel hymns, unaware that the seemingly ordinary family moment would become their final song together.

Karua later learnt of her father’s death while travelling back to Nairobi, only hours after she had left his side. She subsequently announced his death, describing the loss as deeply painful and remembering him as one of her strongest supporters throughout her life.

In her tribute, Karua remembered her father as a principled teacher who placed a strong emphasis on character, education and doing what was right, values she said remained central to the family he raised.

She also recalled the unwavering support he offered her from her school days through her legal career and later years in public service, describing him as a father who remained proud of her, encouraged her and stood firmly by her.

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