Gilgil MP Martha Wangari is still my wife- Peter Karanja

• Gigil MP Martha Wangari walked out of her marriage, accusing her hubby of adultery, violence, alcoholism and stinginess
• According to the MP, the physical violence had reached a point that she feared for her life
• However, her husband insists that they are still husband and wife

The husband of Gigil MP Martha Wangari has clarified that he is still married to his estranged wife. Peter Karanja aka PK said he stood side by side with Martha as she campaigned for the political seat.

PK was a constant face in Martha’s rallies. The carefully choreographed show of love endeared the couple to crowds, translating into votes on Election Day.

But away from the limelight, husband and wife were experiencing problems that are now begin to unfold.

Martha walked out of her marriage accusing PK of adultery, violence, alcoholism, stinginess and desertion. 

“I loved this man and I have given this relationship my all. But the physical violence has gotten to a point I know I will be killed.  It was better for me to walk out of the relationship than die and leave my children,” she said. 

“Martha Wangari is my wife as far as the Gikuyu customary laws are concerned,” says PK when we spoke to him.

The real estate dealer says he has spent a fortune building his business empire and a circle of influential friends.

“If I were you, I would be more interested in unmasking ‘PK’. Please let us talk about myself instead of dwelling on what Martha has raised against me,” he offered.

Elusive and cagey about his marriage, PK feels betrayed by the wife, a woman he claims he invested in financially, emotionally and politically.

Martha accused PK of being a pauper and a drunkard with an unending appetite for women.

“I am not a pauper,” he says, adding that he does not even take alcohol.

“As a wife, if my partner has no money, I take up the responsibility to provide for the family. But when it comes to a point where the man is asking me for money to spend on other women, I have to put my foot down,” Martha said.

The former CEO of the Kenya Federation of Self Help Associations laughs off accusations that he is a playboy. “Do I look like a Ben 10?” he asks.

As we drive to the couple’s matrimonial house which is still under construction, the accountant by profession, recalls one of their past happy moments.

“I remember one time I took her to Russia where we spent about Sh1 million having fun,” he says.

In retrospect, the MD of Pearnest Management Services seems to regret introducing Martha to active politics.

They met in 2008. Martha would later become instrumental during the formation of United Democratic Forum (UDF) in 2012. After the 2013 General Election, she was nominated to the Senate on a UDF ticket.

“I was instrumental in her appointment and she knows that very well,” claims PK, taking credit also for Martha winning the Gilgil parliamentary seat last year.

He says that had it not been for his deep pockets and ground networks, Martha would have performed dismally in the elections.

“The electorate vote for her because of the immense clout PK has here. They thought that by voting Martha, they were rewarding the husband for the work he has down,” says Rev Peter Maina Kangunya of Oasis of Love Church.

Peter was a member of Martha’s campaign committee. He represented the religious community. Peter and a group of locals had gathered at PK’s homestead for prayers.

From outside, the imposing maisonette is a spectacular piece of architecture. The house remains occupied pending completion of interior works. PK estimates that about Sh4 million is needed to finish the job.

When pressed to disclose who is meeting the cost of construction, PK responds: “I have invested heavily on Martha both financially, politically and emotionally. I would not wish to engage in counter accusations in newspapers.”