INJECT party leader Morara Kebaso defends political fundraising

Morara argued that politicians who self-finance their campaigns are likely to be corrupt.

by JAMES MBAKA

News17 June 2025 - 11:01

In Summary

“Campaign financing is where political corruption begins. If someone spends Sh30 million or Sh100 million on a campaign, they’ll recover it from your taxes, through theft. But if you fundraise for candidates, they’ll owe you their loyalty,” he stated.
“Stop demonising fundraising by calling your leaders conmen and beggars. They have the option of using their own money, and the result will be an increase in corruption,” he said.

Inclusive National Justice, Economic & Civic Transformation (INJECT) party leader Morara Kebaso has defended his decision to fundraise for his political campaigns and engagements, saying it is not a crime.

In a statement posted on his X platform on June 16, 2025, Morara justified his approach of mobilising funds from the public, arguing that citizen-funded politics is a step toward reducing corruption in Kenya.

The political activist and 2027 presidential hopeful maintained that when the public contributes to campaign financing, it strengthens accountability and discourages political leaders from engaging in corrupt practices once in office.

“For Kenyans to hold their leaders accountable, they must take part in the process of getting them into office, including contributing to their campaigns,” he said.

Morara argued that politicians who self-finance their campaigns with vast sums of money are more likely to engage in corruption to recover their expenses.

“Campaign financing is where political corruption begins. If someone spends Sh30 million or Sh100 million on a campaign, they’ll recover it from your taxes, through theft. But if you fundraise for candidates, they’ll owe you their loyalty,” he stated.

He dismissed the perception that political fundraising amounts to begging or conmanship, challenging Kenyans to reconsider how they view financial support for leaders.

“Stop demonising fundraising by calling your leaders conmen and beggars. They have the option of using their own money, and the result will be an increase in corruption,” he said.

Through his “Vampire Diaries” episodes—short online exposés of stalled government projects—Morara has regularly asked his online followers for financial support to fund his civic and political engagements.

The activist-turned-politician has consistently championed political fundraising, arguing that leaders who finance their campaigns are more likely to misuse public resources once elected to recover their investment.

However, some Kenyans have criticised him.

Morara began publishing accountability reports to show how he spends the M-PESA donations he receives from supporters to demonstrate his transparency.