A NARC candidate, Kibaki was a businessman and member of parliament of Othaya constituency prior to his 2002 election victory over KANU nominee Uhuru Kenyatta.

In his inaugural address, President Mwai Kibaki, who had been elected on a National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) ticket said he felt honored by the overwhelming support he had received.

When he became president, Kibaki inherited a weak and declining economy and a corrupt system, which promised to change by increasing school enrollment, implementing free primary education, introducing basic and affordable health care access to all citizens and rehabilitating roads and other infrastructure.

[5] Additionally, Kibaki endorsed projects to rehabilitate and expand irrigation schemes such as Bura, Hola, West Kano, Mwea, Nzoia, Ahero and Katilu.

Despite difficulties of drought, and increased global fuel prices, the Kibaki government managed to put agriculture as a driver of the national economy.