NAIROBI, Kenya- Kasmuel McOcure, a name once synonymous with youthful defiance and activism, found himself trending on social media Sunday morning.
This came after images surfaced of him receiving President William Ruto at a church service in Uasin Gishu County.
McOcure stood alongside notable leaders, including Uasin Gishu County Governor and one of the area MP’s Oscar Sudi, sparking heated debates about his political trajectory.
Once celebrated as a face of resistance during the fiery Gen Z protests against a punitive finance bill and allegations of bad governance, McOcure now finds himself at the center of controversy.
Critics argue that his newfound proximity to the same political elite he vehemently opposed represents a betrayal of the ideals he once championed.
McOcure’s rise to prominence was anything but conventional.
During the Gen Z protests, he became a beacon of hope for young people across Kenya.
The demonstrations, triggered by widespread dissatisfaction with government policies and corruption, drew tens of thousands to the streets.
Protestors braved teargas, arrests, and even police brutality, demanding accountability and justice.
The protests were not without cost. Human rights organizations documented over 60 deaths, countless arrests, and enforced disappearances linked to the unrest.
McOcure’s leadership in such a charged environment earned him admiration and respect.
Many saw him as a voice for a disenfranchised generation, unafraid to challenge the status quo.
However, McOcure’s recent actions have left many of his supporters disillusioned.
His involvement with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and visible closeness to political heavyweights, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has sparked accusations of opportunism.
Critics accuse him of abandoning the causes for which he fought, including justice for protestors who lost their lives or remain unaccounted for.
Prominent youth activist Morara Kebaso expressed this sentiment in a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Kasmuel McOcure you have hurt Kenyans who believed in you in a way that you will never ever imagine.”
The controversy surrounding McOcure also highlights the government’s calculated efforts to win over Kenya’s youthful population.
Following the protests, the Kenya Kwanza administration implemented significant changes, including dismissing Cabinet Secretaries and launching targeted communication campaigns aimed at Gen Z.
While these efforts have tempered some criticism, they also appear to be part of a larger strategy to co-opt influential voices like McOcure’s.
Critics argue that such alliances undermine the authenticity of activists, reducing them to tools in the political machinery.
