Kasmuel McOure calls for strong ideological alternatives in Kenyan politics
By Faith Lagat, January 9, 2026Activist and political figure Kasmuel McOure has called for stronger ideological platforms in Kenyan politics, arguing that the current system is dominated by transactional exchanges rather than principled approaches.
Speaking in a January 9, 2025, interview, McOure reflected on his political journey and mentorship under the late Raila Odinga, highlighting lessons in political exposure and engagement.
“So I’m one of the lucky ones because I was adopted by the most eminent politician. I went under Raila Odinga’s wing and I remember I was telling the people I was with that if I were to interact with a politician, I will do it only at the highest level. So I’ll only either do it with Baba or with the president,” McOure said.
He noted that Odinga shielded him from typical hardships faced by aspiring politicians, introducing him to party networks and grassroots meetings and allowing him to witness both support and dissent in different regions.
“We went to his strongholds and we went to places where he was not doing really well. Like we went to Kisii, I remember, and we were booed. Yeah. And Baba let me sit through that. I was right behind him,” he recalled.
Challenges for young politicians
McOure warned young politicians of the inevitable challenges that accompany public prominence. “The moment you scale the heights to the level of popularity that I have sort of accessed, you will go through this thing. And Christians like to call it a wilderness. The people of faith will call it a wilderness. People of other persuasions will say a humiliation ritual. That is what you go through,” he explained.
Despite evolving perspectives on political methodology, he said his core principles remain intact. “Perspective did change, but principle, no… I still do. Same utopian ideals? I still hold those utopian ideals,” McOure stated, emphasising the importance of principled engagement over opportunistic politics.
Bringing principles to practical politics
McOure also highlighted the challenge of balancing progressive policy issues with basic infrastructure needs. “There could be changes, for example, in cybercrime. That doesn’t work for my guys in Karungu who are waiting for a road or for some water. But now how do we ensure that we can merge both these progressive ones without leaving the basic?” he questioned.
He expressed concern over the absence of meaningful ideological alternatives in the Kenyan political landscape.
“Because again, politics has been dumbed down in our country, and there has been no ideological alternative to the 200 shilling note. There’s no strong ideology,” he said, noting the influence of monetary incentives over policy discourse.
McOure underscored the stakes of political engagement: “We can sit here and wax lyrical, but if, like, to end it, you and you come with a microphone, and I come with two hundred. Who will win this election? Yes.”