Activist and lawyer Morara Kebaso declared on Saturday that he would cease his extensive civic education initiative aimed at raising awareness about Kenya’s ongoing struggle with corruption.
This announcement came as a shock to many who had supported his efforts to promote informed citizenship during a period of widespread graft in the country.
Through a social media post, Kebaso revealed his decision to return contributions made by Kenyans to his cause.
He expressed disappointment, concluding that the public had not demonstrated sufficient commitment to fostering meaningful change in the nation’s governance.
Kebaso stated,
“I cannot continue to dirtify my reputation and earn the tag of a conman or beggar. It’s not worth it. For this reason, I would like to refund any Kenyan that has supported me and felt conned.”
The lawyer elaborated on his decision to abandon his crusade for a better Kenya, saying,
“But a time comes when a man must decide whether the nation is worth struggling for. My observation is that most Kenyans have already decided the country they want to live in.”
Initial Support and Unexpected Success
On September 3rd, Kebaso had appealed to the public for financial assistance to expand his civic education efforts. He sought between 840,000 and 1.2 million Kenyan shillings to acquire and install a modern public address system.
The response to his request was overwhelming. Contributions flooded his mobile account, quickly reaching its 500,000 shilling limit.
In addition to monetary support, Kebaso received generous gifts, including a luxurious house in Kahawa Sukari, Nairobi County, intended to serve as his operational headquarters, as well as a car.
Government Scrutiny
Kebaso gained national recognition for his work auditing stalled projects under the Kenya Kwanza government. His inspections of government initiatives drew the ire of senior officials, prompting action from high-ranking members of the administration.
His efforts compelled the offices of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to initiate verification processes for high-impact national government projects.
