Political activist Kasmuel McOure has joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
In a statement on Sunday, after a meeting with party chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Kasmuel said the party is now out to revive youth and student leagues across the country.
“ODM is the party of the present and of the future. A substantive political movement for a fair, democratic Kenya where everyone can live with dignity-the largest pro-people party in East and Central Africa!” he said.
“We’re revitalising the Youth and Students’ Leagues and are calling on passionate young Kenyans to help shape our future. Stand with us! Thank you, party chair @gladyswanga, for your faith and hosting us this weekend,” Kasmuel said.
Former PM Raila Odinga with political activist Kasmuel McOure/X
Kasmuel said together with other people they will be going out in an outreach to get the educated and uneducated to join the party.
He will also play a part in getting young people to register to be members of ODM.
Governor Wanga on her part said the future of ODM belongs to bright young people like Kasmuel Mc Oure.
“ODM is the party of the future and the future of ODM is in the hands of our young people. Our Gen Z, and Gen Alphas, the ones who are coming up and that’s why we want strong involvement of brilliant young people like (Kasmuel) Mcoure,” she said.
The move to join ODM comes a few weeks after Kasmuel held a meeting with former Prime Minister and founding party leader of the ODM party, Raila Odinga.
Defence against criticism
Kasmuel has been under immense criticism since he started associating with politicians, and he has always vigorously defended his position.
“The movement is not dead. It just slowed down when Kenyans lost interest in it. Let’s work on rekindling it and involving all citizens. It’s doable!
“On associating with politicians, I’ll continue to do so to learn what I need to be better at.” I’m just one of the many great people in a leaderless movement. Resist the urge to blame all your woes on me,” he said in one of his recent posts on X.
He even hit hard at those who claimed he took advantage of the Gen Zs’ protests in order to groom his political ambitions.
“Let’s be clear; social media didn’t make me. It merely amplified the greatness I already carried. I didn’t take to the streets for likes or retweets. I did it because my reality demanded it. I couldn’t afford to sit still while injustice thrived. To the movement of true patriots fighting for every Kenyan, I’m still here. Still fighting. I know you are too!
“I refuse to be part of an intolerant, exclusionary, and performative social media movement. My focus is on real change, not mere sloganeering. I stand for a Kenya that works for all of us, including those we may disagree with. I’ve aligned myself with a space where we learn to organize and mobilize, united in the pursuit of our people’s liberation. Tuvute pamoja, kila mtu upande wake. The goal is unity, not uniformity,” he said.
His latest comments on ODM are expected to put him under another shed of limelight and equal criticism.
Kasmuel is one of the young activists who became the face of Gen Z protests in Kenya, following the enactment of the controversial Finance Bill, 2024 by Members of Parliament.
He was among those who led the anti-government movement both online and in the streets.
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