Political activist Morara Kebaso has decried the behaviour of online communities, terming it a toxic environment that undermines young leaders while giving impunity to legacy politicians.
Kebaso said he was growing weary of trying to win public approval on social media, accusing Kenyans of perpetuating a system that benefits the corrupt and stifles youth-led activism.
"I am tired of trying to be loved by Kenyans on social media. I think we have been programmed to hate each other and keep the old corrupt system in power," he said.
“What we are doing here is not politics; this is activism. It cannot win an election.”
Kebaso, a vocal youth organiser, condemned what he described as double standards in political discourse.
He called out a trend where young leaders are vilified and deplatformed for minor or unproven offences, while powerful, well-connected politicians with histories of corruption and impunity continue to dominate the public space unchallenged.
“You call someone a conman and everyone adopts it without producing evidence to show what was conned,” he stated.
He expressed concern over the increasing tendency to label emerging youth leaders as "beggars," "projects," or "traitors" without any factual basis.
According to Kebaso, such rhetoric is not only divisive but strategically destructive to any attempt at meaningful change.
“Politics is expensive, and until we break the ice of campaign financing, no single youth can make it,” he emphasised.
The activist further questioned whether the growing fractures among young reformists were being exploited to derail progress.
“Was this movement designed to self-destruct?” he asked, challenging young people to stop tearing each other down over unverified claims and petty divisions.
Amid the criticism, Kebaso extended an olive branch and a rallying cry to youth from across the political divide who are yearning for a break from the status quo represented by both the current government and traditional opposition.
“There are millions of youth out there who are looking for an option. They don’t want to choose between a corrupt government and a crooked opposition,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter which political party you are in right now. You could even be working in the State House. But if you have sensed the moment and want to be part of the alternative, do not be afraid.”
Kebaso announced a forum later this week aimed at convening young leaders interested in forming a new political movement focused on integrity, inclusion, and accountability.
“Join us this week as we meet more young leaders who want to form a political movement for change. Let us reason together,” he said.
