Morara Kebaso bows out of 2027 race
By Faith Lagat, August 15, 2025Youth activist and INJECT Party leader Morara Kebaso has announced he will not vie for political office in the 2027 General Election but will still cast his vote if a candidate worth supporting emerges.
In a post on his X account on Friday morning, Kebaso said, “I will not contest for political office in 2027. But I will vote if there is someone worth voting for.”
The declaration marks a significant shift from his January 2025 pledge, made during an interview, to challenge President William Ruto for the top seat.
From Gen Z torchbearer to political exit
Kebaso had positioned himself as a leading Gen Z voice in politics, rallying young voters through his Inclusion of National Justice Economic and Civic Transformation (INJECT) Party, which was officially registered in September 2024.
He championed solutions-orientated politics, telling supporters in March 2025, “Our mission is to offer solutions and ensure the values and principles of good governance are held in high esteem.”
However, his political journey was marred by accusations of bribery, controversial alliances, and public backlash—including over a photograph with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The pressures, coupled with financial and personal challenges, prompted him to step away from active politics.
Return of political base
One of the more publicised episodes in his political life was the return of a house in Kahawa Sukari, Nairobi County, which had been gifted to him in September 2024 by a Canadian-based couple. The mansion had served as his operations hub.
“There is a mzee and his wife who are living in Canada that gave me the house. Ata sio Wakisii, ni Wakikuyu. They saw the value,” Kebaso said during a July livestream with Andrew Kibe. He explained that mounting political pressures and personal limitations led him to hand it back. “I gave it back when I felt that I couldn’t pull through,” he said.
Focus shifts to private life
Kebaso first signalled his retreat from politics in June 2025, declaring, “Guys, I finally escaped politics. I can now live my life. I can do my biz, make my mulla, travel the world, see my friends, visit a bar, and not worry about pictures. I’m free.”
His recent commentary on voter responsibility, including remarks on the heckling of former Chief Justice David Maraga, suggests he still intends to influence public discourse from outside formal politics.
As the 2027 election season approaches, his decision underscores the hurdles of sustaining a youth-led political movement in a high-pressure environment where public trust can shift rapidly.