"The King Who Saved Me" Activist Kasmuel McOure Reveals Raila Odinga's Secret Protection During Protests

 

Activist and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) youth leader Kasmuel McOure has shared a heartfelt social media post mourning the death of his mentor, Raila Odinga. 

In the tribute, posted on X (formerly Twitter), McOure recounts a transformative year spent under Odinga's guidance, from street protests to private counsel. 

The post, titled "Part 1: A Year and a Week with The King," has resonated deeply amid national grief over the veteran politician's passing.

McOure's story traces back to the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, where he marched in despair, prepared to sacrifice his life for the cause. 

Despite initial reluctance to engage with Odinga—whom he admired but challenged publicly—the activist found himself under quiet protection. 

McOure revealed that Odinga dispatched undercover agents to shadow him during volatile demonstrations, including on August 8, 2024, when one warned, "You are going to be killed today."

Their pivotal meeting occurred on October 7, 2024, at Odinga's office in Capitol Hill, shortly after McOure's controversial Bomas speech calling for the impeachment of then-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. 

Accompanied by comrades, McOure entered a room buzzing with Odinga's African Union campaign preparations. 

Yet Odinga paused an important call to listen, weaving tales of Kenya's democratic struggles into advice on identity and resilience.

"I have known Baba at a personal level for one year and one week. It has been the most defining period of my adulthood," McOure wrote, describing Odinga as an "Enigma" who commanded stillness and sheer excitement simultaneously.

The encounter ended with a photo and an invitation: "Jakarungu, let’s have breakfast in Karen at 0630H tomorrow." 

McOure credits this moment with reviving his purpose, teaching him what it truly means to serve and to survive.

The tribute has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with users praising McOure's vulnerability and Odinga's enduring legacy as a protector of youth activism. 

Fellow protesters and ODM supporters have shared similar stories of quiet interventions during the Gen Z-led uprisings.