Kasmuel McOure speaks at Bukiri Primary School, Funyula, Busia County, on February 28, 2025, as the Orange Democratic Movement celebrated 20 years in Kenya's political landscape.
In every nation’s inflection point, or cataclysm, there are always heroes, villains, and even goats. Every valley and mountain has moments of joy or sorrow.
Life mimics science. Each country has an electrocardiogram monitor that tells you whether the heart is beating, or national life has flat-lined. That’s where some states have, unfortunately, found themselves. I think we can say without equivocation that’s not Kenya’s fate.
We have a very healthy heart, even if the doctor has to check in with us every so often. These moments of national catharsis often produce leaders. I’ve scanned the Gen Z political spams of the last two years and found one young who stands out – Kasmuel McOure.
In both 2024 and 2025, a lot of anxious political activity driven by the youth took place. Much of it was a convergence of social and economic forces. We knew, as did others around the world, that the youth bulge could be a volcano. In the last two decades, the number of young people had multiplied exponentially.
A large number were well educated, but with no place to go. This is a recipe for civil unrest. For hope and idealism is what the youth have in abundance. In my younger days, as a student at the University of Nairobi, we rallied against the KANU dictatorship. We protested bitterly against state impunity. Some of us were exiled, while others stuck it out.
Political exuberance
Out of the basket of youthful political exuberance and idealism often rise a few leaders. Some of us found personal and leadership success within the country, others without. I am sure the Gen Z chapter is still written, but so far, we have a silhouette of some in that cohort who may have a bright future.
My view is that people who are too conservative in their youth often end up being unimaginative in life. They become rote conformists who don’t challenge society or the state to do better.
President William Ruto shares light moments with Kasmuel McOure during the opening of a new church sanctuary at AIC Kipkorgot in Uasin Gishu County on December 22, 2024.
I am not talking about souls riven by anarchy and hopeless torment. No – I refer here to young people who imagine a larger and nobler destiny for themselves and their country. Some give their parents and the state sleepless nights.
Out of the youth tumult of the last two years, several young people have stood out, but none so prominently than one Mr McOure. I have only met the young man once, and very briefly. I have, however, seen McOure on TV, the press, and larger social media.
The totality of my impression about him, while not conclusive about anything, is that he has enormous potential. There is an “it” factor to him. He is well spoken, thoughtful, and often measured. I see shades of a young Tom Mboya, the iconic labour union leader, who was cut down by an assassin’s bullet in 1969. It’s said that folks in the Kenyatta state at the time feared that independence hero Tom Mboya was too ambitious.
Mr McOure is far from being compared to Mr Mboya, but one can already see his gift of gab and flashy dressing.
There is a hint of charisma. Within the ODM juggernaut, Mr McOure is trying to carve out a niche for himself. Soon after the Gen Z revolt had petered out in 2024, Mr McOure paid a pilgrimage to the late political colossus ODM’s Raila Odinga to seek counsel and mentorship. It was, in my view, a genius move — a masterstroke. For at whose feet would it have been better to learn than the late maestro himself? That’s how Mr McOure’s political maturation started. He began to translate youthful idealism into effective and engaging political activism. Today, he stands on the cusp of national leadership.
Political engagement
As I said, I don’t really know Mr McOure. Or why he has an Irish-sounding name. Or why he likes three-piece suits, or playing the piano. Perhaps these are personal quirks.
Kasmuel McOure speaks during public participation proceedings on the proposed impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua at Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi on October 4, 2024.
Perhaps it’s branding. I don’t know. What appears very clear is that Mr McOure is a patriot who wants to make our country better, and who yearns to translate the idealism of his fellow youth into political engagement that could yield success in our country’s governance.
I can see traces of Mr McOure in my own youth. After suffering exile at a tender age and going to school in America, I didn’t give up on Kenya. I teamed up with Dr Willy Mutunga, later to become Chief Justice, Maina Kiai, and Kiraitu Murungi to form the Kenya Human Rights Commission, the region’s premier human rights Non-Governmental Organisation.
Those of us who came before have a duty to nurture the Gen Z. They are our children, and they are Kenya’s present and future. Without them, Kenya will die.
Without their success, Kenya will fail. Without their political engagement, our democracy will atrophy. My hope is that there are many more Kasmuels out there. For if we are to thrive as a country, he’s a ray of hope.
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Makau Mutua is SUNY Distinguished Professor and Margaret W. Wong Professor at Buffalo Law School, The State University of New York. @makaumutua
