INJECT party leader and 2027 presidential hopeful Morara Kebaso has defended his decision to rely on public fundraising for his political activities, arguing that citizen-funded campaigns are key to fighting corruption in Kenya.
In a statement shared on June 16 via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Morara said it is not a crime for politicians to ask for public support, especially when it helps promote transparency and public accountability. He contended that political corruption often begins at the campaign stage, especially when candidates self-finance their bids using vast personal wealth.
“Campaign financing is where political corruption begins. If someone spends Sh30 million or Sh100 million on a campaign, they’ll recover it from your taxes, through theft,” he stated. “But if you fundraise for candidates, they’ll owe you their loyalty.”
Morara challenged the negative perception around political fundraising, insisting that financial support from citizens should not be equated with begging or conmanship. “Stop demonising fundraising by calling your leaders conmen and beggars. They have the option of using their own money, and the result will be an increase in corruption,” he argued.
Known for his bold civic activism, Morara runs “Vampire Diaries,” a series of short online exposés highlighting stalled or abandoned government projects. Through this platform, he has consistently asked his supporters to contribute to his civic and political engagements via M-PESA, while also publishing regular reports to show how the funds are used.
According to Morara, citizen-funded politics ensures leaders remain accountable to the people, not to wealthy elites or special interest groups. “For Kenyans to hold their leaders accountable, they must take part in the process of getting them into office, including contributing to their campaigns,” he added.
Despite facing criticism, Morara continues to champion a new political culture centred on openness and citizen involvement. His move to publish accountability reports is aimed at building public trust and shifting perceptions about political fundraising in Kenya.
