In the first pre-independence elections of 1963, Kibaki contested for a parliamentary seat in Donholm (subsequently called Bahati and now known as Makadara) in Nairobi.

He shifted his political constituency to Othaya from Donholm constituency in 1974. The motivations behind this emanated from the 1969 controversial election that saw him beating his fiercest competitor, Mrs. Jael Mbogo narrowly. It also made much sense for him to represent his home constituency.  Explaining it later, Kibaki said he was under pressure, ever since he left Makerere, to go back to Othaya, his home and constituency he represented until 2012 when he retired from office.