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Martha Karua recalls becoming magistrate at 24 while raising young family
19th September, 2026 12:43 PM
Former Justice Minister Martha Karua has taken her followers down memory lane, sharing a glimpse of her youthful days as she reflected on the experiences that shaped her in her 20s.
In a post shared on Saturday, September 19, Karua shared an old photograph of herself seated on a bench alongside two women, each holding a pack of milk.
The throwback image accompanied a reflective message in which Karua described September as a special month, noting that it is both her birth month and a time when she looks back at the journey that brought her to where she is today.
Becoming a magistrate at 24
Karua recalled that at the age of 24, she became a magistrate, describing the position as a significant responsibility and title at a time when she was still figuring out life beyond the courtroom.
“At 24, I became a magistrate, a responsibility and a title that felt significant at that age, even as I was still figuring out life beyond the courtroom,” she said.
She said that by her late twenties, she had risen to the position of Senior Resident Magistrate while also raising a young family as a single mother.
“By my late twenties, I had risen to Senior Resident Magistrate and was raising a young family as a single mother, although thankfully, with the support of my sister and family.”
According to Karua, she was able to navigate the demands of work and motherhood with the support of her sister and wider family.
Looking back, she questioned how she managed to balance the different responsibilities she carried at such a young age.
A young woman navigating difficult times
Karua also reflected on the wider political environment she experienced during her younger years, saying she was fighting against a dictatorship while remaining hopeful about the future she envisioned for herself, her family and the country.
Her reflection offered a glimpse into a period of her life when professional responsibilities, family life and political activism were unfolding at the same time.
She used her experience to encourage young people who may still be trying to figure out their direction in life.
‘Give yourself grace’
Karua urged people in their twenties to give themselves grace, acknowledging that they may not always have all the answers or know where their journey is headed.
She encouraged them to keep pushing against obstacles and trust that the life they are building will gradually take shape.
“Here’s to the girl I was, and to all the young people still becoming,” she wrote.
Karua concluded the reflection by teasing the next chapter of her journey, writing: “And then came the 30s…”
