Anti-corruption activist Morara Kebaso has stirred debate online after arguing that Kenya’s corruption crisis is sustained not only by politicians but also by voters who continue electing leaders accused of graft.
In a post shared on X, Kebaso questioned whether arresting and jailing corrupt officials would meaningfully change governance outcomes.
He suggested that Kenyans might simply elect new leaders with similar tendencies, raising concerns about public accountability and civic responsibility.
His remarks framed corruption as a societal problem rather than solely a legal or political one.
According to Kebaso, communities often shield leaders accused of wrongdoing due to ethnic loyalty and patronage benefits, weakening efforts to enforce accountability.
He criticized the widespread mindset captured in the phrase “akishiba tumeshiba” — a belief that citizens benefit when their leader gains wealth, regardless of how it is acquired. Kebaso warned that such thinking normalizes the theft of public resources and undermines national development.
The activist emphasized that corruption will persist as long as communities prioritize tribal allegiance over integrity and good governance.
He called for a cultural shift in which voters reject leaders implicated in graft, regardless of ethnic or political affiliation.
His comments come amid ongoing national conversations about corruption, misuse of public funds, and accountability within state institutions.
Kenya has repeatedly ranked poorly in global transparency indices, with watchdog agencies and civil society groups urging stronger enforcement and civic vigilance.
Kebaso maintains that lasting change requires citizens to stop protecting corrupt leaders and instead demand ethical leadership, arguing that the fight against corruption begins with voters at the ballot box.