Outrage Erupts as Kenyan MPs Mock Arrested Activist Morara Kebaso, Sparking Backlash Online
Once the arrest of lawyer-turned-activist Morara Kebaso was announced, and it became known he was being held incommunicado at various police stations, several prominent figures quickly voiced their opinions on the situation and shared their thoughts about Morara.
While the majority demanded his immediate release, with some even threatening fresh street protests, a few members of Parliament seemed to celebrate his arrest—one even making a crude remark about his detention.
As online platforms erupted with demands to free the popular civic educator, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi also chimed in. Amisi dismissed Morara as nothing more than a caricature, calling him a “young man” who posed no real threat to the State and suggesting that he was unemployed.
Reacting to the arrest, Amisi tweeted: “This @MoraraKebasoSnr is a young man performing arts and comedy on the streets for a living. He can’t hurt a fly. Let’s stop the theatrics and focus!”
Kenyans quickly recognized the condescending tone in the legislator’s tweet, wasting no time criticizing him for his insolence.
Some criticized the MP for implying that Morara’s national tours to educate the masses and highlight government shortcomings were a comedy routine. Others took offense at Amisi’s choice of words regarding the rising political figure.
“Young man? Sounds like you’re trying to belittle him, viewing him as an insignificant boy. Morara has more national appeal than you ever will! Show some respect!” one user wrote on X.
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Another commented: “You think Morara does ‘comedy’ for a living? You haven’t researched his success before his civic education tours. He’s a 29-year-old multimillionaire with a better house and cars than you!”
As the wave of vitriolic responses poured in, Amisi decided to delete the offensive tweet and replace it with something more neutral.
Shortly after, he posted another Morara-related tweet, stating: “Please release @MoraraKebasoSnr, he can’t cause any harm! Let’s focus on national issues!”
Once again, comments flooded in, many including screenshots of his previous tweet, calling out the MP for his inconsistency.
Ahmed Bakari remarked, “Next time, stand by your words! Don’t backtrack when there’s backlash. Real men stick to their views, no matter how unpopular!”
As Amisi faced backlash, yet another MP waded into the controversy, sparking further outrage.
Gatundu North MP Njoroge Kururia faced criticism for implying that Morara’s arrest was justified and even praising the police behind it.
In an interview with Inooro FM on Tuesday, October 1, Njoroge expressed his wish for Morara to be held at a police station in his Gatundu constituency, a location he described as being full of “chokora” (street children).
ALSO READ: Morara Kebaso Set Free, Charge Sheet Reveals Why He Was Arrested
He said: “I saw him speak and say many things that made him popular. He talked about me too, even insulted me. Now, I see he’s being taken around police stations; I wish he could be held at a cell in Gatundu North, where there are street children.”
He added, “God bless the police who arrested him. He should be taken around even more to understand that this republic has laws.”
Kururia’s remarks enraged Kenyans online, as many suspected he was wishing for physical or sexual violence against Morara by placing him with “street boys.”
“Listen: He wants Morara booked in the same cell with Chokoras. Why? So they can beat him and sodomize him! And these are your leaders!” tweeted Mary Wanjau.
Zachary Oguda also reacted to the video, saying, “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—if we want real change in this country, we need to recall MPs like these.”
On Tuesday, October 1, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) recommended charging activist Morara Kebaso with harassment for allegedly damaging the reputation of Uasin Gishu businessman David Langat.
According to the charge sheet, the ODPP is accusing Kebaso of cyber harassment under Section 27 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
The offense is alleged to have been committed on September 28, 2024, at an undisclosed location, along with others not before the court.
Outrage Erupts as Kenyan MPs Mock Arrested Activist Morara Kebaso, Sparking Backlash Online