NAIROBI, Kenya – Political activist Kasmuel McOure has drawn sharp criticism on social media after declaring that President William Ruto can count on all votes from Luo Nyanza without conditions, with several commenters questioning his authority to speak for the region.
In a post on X, McOure wrote: “Rais Ruto kura zote za Luo Nyanza ni zako bila conditions. Chukua ufanye nazo vile unataka!” — a statement suggesting that Ruto could take all the region’s votes and use them as he wishes.
The remarks triggered a wave of responses from users who challenged the claim, with some insisting that political support in Luo Nyanza could not be pledged by one individual on behalf of an entire community.
One commenter argued that their vote belonged to them personally, while another warned that McOure should not assume that residents of the region would support Ruto.
“Kura yako ni moja boss,” one user responded, emphasising that an individual’s vote does not amount to a collective regional endorsement.
Another commenter wrote: “Wewe unaogelea Luo Nyanza kama nani,” questioning the activist’s standing to speak for the region.
Others used the exchange to express opposition to Ruto’s political ambitions, with one user declaring that the president should not be misled into believing he had secured Luo Nyanza’s support.
From Gen Z Protests to Political Controversy
The backlash adds to the scrutiny McOure has faced over his political evolution since the youth-led demonstrations of 2024.
He rose to prominence during protests against the Finance Bill, when young Kenyans mobilised against proposed tax increases and raised wider concerns about governance, accountability and the cost of living.
McOure later joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in November 2024, explaining at the time that he viewed the party as a vehicle through which he could pursue political change.
His subsequent engagement with established political leaders has attracted criticism from some former supporters, who have questioned whether his current political approach remains consistent with the demands that propelled him into the public spotlight.
The latest exchange reflects that continuing debate, with several X users comparing his present position with his earlier role during the Gen Z protests.
One commenter referred to his former image as a young activist associated with the name Tom Mboya, while another questioned how quickly his political alignment appeared to have changed.
Other responses accused him of political opportunism and using the region’s electorate as though it were his personal political asset. Those were opinions expressed by individual users and do not establish the views of Luo Nyanza as a whole.
Online Users Challenge Claim Over Luo Nyanza Votes
Several commenters also questioned whether McOure had the backing of local voters or the political structures needed to make such a declaration.
One response asked what votes government-linked figures could command without the support of established ODM structures, while another insisted that Ruto should not assume the region would vote for him.
The reactions also featured the competing political slogans “TUTAM” and “WANTAM,” reflecting the divide between supporters of Ruto and those opposed to his re-election.
However, the comments on McOure’s post cannot, on their own, establish the political preferences of the wider Luo Nyanza electorate. The exchange demonstrates the controversy surrounding his statement rather than providing a representative measure of voter opinion.
