Morara charts solo path to presidency after months of dalliance with Gachagua, Karua

In a notable shift, Inject Party leader Morara Kebaso has signalled a move away from established political figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, after a period of close engagement.

Morara, known for his outspoken activism and recent foray into politics, took to X on Monday, April 21, 2025, to assert that young Kenyans possess the electoral strength to secure the presidency without relying on traditional political alliances.

“The young people of Kenya have 10 million votes, why are we looking for leaders inside the tainted political class?” Kebaso wrote.

He proceeded to cite examples of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including business, entertainment, and activism, who have successfully ascended to high political office without prior experience within the established political system.

“Donald Trump was a businessman not an MP or Senator. Ibrahim Traore was an army officer. Volodymyr Zelensky was a comedian who shot straight to be president of Ukraine. Silvio Berlusconi was a media investor who became prime minister of Italy without holding any other public office. Jimmy Morales of Guatemala was a comedian and actor. He lost election as a mayor and went on to vie for president. A loser in a small election became a president. Václav Havel, a government critic and human rights activist became president of Czechoslovakia without holding any prior public office. If we are draining the swamp let us drain the swamp,” Morara noted.

“Even a JSS teacher can be our president if we decide so,” he added, emphasising the potential for grassroots-driven political change.

This declaration marks a departure from Morara’s recent political engagements.

Just a month ago, on March 1, 2025, Morara revealed details of a meeting with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, where they discussed critical national issues, including political reforms, youth unemployment, and human rights concerns.

“I met with HE @rigathi to discuss the reality of Kenyan politics and the practical steps that should be taken for meaningful reforms,” Kebaso stated at the time, also highlighting discussions on police brutality, abductions, and extrajudicial killings. He then affirmed his commitment to engaging with leaders across various sectors to amplify the voices of young people.

Similarly, Kebaso had actively courted Martha Karua, even attending the official launch of her PLP on February 27, 2025.

During the event, he passionately decried the pervasive corruption in Kenya and implored Karua to prioritise its eradication should she assume the presidency.

“I have had the privilege of touring this country—32 counties in total. Na mheshimiwa mimi nataka kukuambia yakwamba ile mambo inaendelea hapa ni wizi, wizi bila kazi. It’s theft to the left, theft to the right and theft in the centre,” Morara lamented.

“Out of a budget of 3.9 trillion, 70 per cent of it goes to theft and pilferage of public funds. And if you go everywhere in this country, it is dead project after dead project. Corruption has killed our devolution, it has killed opportunities to young people,” he added.

The outspoken activist-turned-politician implored Karua to make the fight against corruption a central agenda should she assume the highest office in the land.

“Please, if you get an opportunity, give that a thought and ensure that we end corruption in our country,” he urged.

Morara went so far as to request that Karua appoint him as the head of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) if she ascends to the presidency.

“Mimi nina asma ya kuwa rais wa Kenya, but that is the will of God. It’s God that gives leadership, it’s not me to give it to myself. If you become our president ahead of me, ile kitu pekeake naomba ni kiti ya anti-corruption. I want to work for free, I don’t want to be paid. Nipatie tu hio kiti ya EACC na uzime simu uniwache mimi ntashugulikia hawa watu,” he asserted.

The recent shift in Morara’s rhetoric, however, suggests a strategic recalibration.

By emphasising the electoral power of young Kenyans and drawing parallels with successful political outsiders, he appears to be positioning himself as a leader capable of mobilising a new generation of voters, independent of traditional political networks.

This move could signal a significant realignment in the political landscape, as Morara seeks to carve out a distinct political identity and potentially challenge the dominance of established political players.

The extent to which Morara can translate his online rhetoric into tangible political support remains to be seen, but his recent pronouncements have undoubtedly injected a new element of unpredictability into the country’s political discourse.