On Tuesday, December 10, activist Kasmuel McOure faced public rejection at an End Femicide protest held in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). The protest, organized in response to the alarming rise in femicide cases in the country, saw McOure, a well-known activist often seen in his signature suit, being chased away by angry demonstrators.
A group of young protesters turned against McOure, chanting dissenting remarks and urging him to leave the event. Unable to gain control over the situation, McOure, accompanied by a few supporters, retreated in embarrassment. A video capturing the incident quickly went viral, sparking a range of reactions on social media.
The protest was intended to raise awareness about the growing crisis of femicide in Kenya, but McOure’s presence at the rally became contentious. The incident highlighted a deepening rift between him and some young activists, many of whom accused him of betraying their cause by aligning himself with the ODM party and publicly supporting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Many of the youth protesters, who had pledged to keep their activism independent of traditional political alignments, expressed their disapproval of McOure’s political ties. They criticized him for siding with a political establishment that they believed had failed to address the concerns of the common citizen. As tensions grew, McOure’s efforts to reconcile with the protesters fell flat, and his departure marked a turning point in his involvement with the protest.
Social media users had varied reactions to the incident. Some praised the protesters for standing their ground, while others expressed surprise at McOure’s decision to attend an event where his support for the ODM party was known to be a point of contention. One user, @joyc.e.4444, remarked, “Good job guys, he thought we had forgotten,” while another, @iammuhia, commented, “From hero to zero.”
Kasmuel McOure had previously voiced strong support for the ODM party, calling it the “largest pro-people movement” and encouraging young Kenyans to join the party. He had also vowed to lead a mass registration of new members for ODM during a recent gathering with party chairperson Gladys Wanga. However, his political affiliations seem to have alienated him from certain activist groups who value political independence.
The protest, despite the controversy surrounding McOure, succeeded in drawing attention to the critical issue of femicide. However, McOure’s experience highlights the challenges activists face when political alliances overshadow the cause they seek to champion.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complex intersection between activism and politics, especially in a country where young people are increasingly calling for a new type of leadership that transcends traditional party lines.
