In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, Kebaso argued that elected leaders merely reflect the values and expectations of the electorate that puts them in office.
According to him, corruption thrives not because leaders are inherently dishonest, but because voters repeatedly reward unethical behaviour at the ballot.
“Politicians do what the boss wants, and the boss is the voter,” Kebaso said, questioning why leaders associated with tribal mobilisation and questionable wealth continue to enjoy widespread support.
He singled out Kenya’s voting culture, which he said prioritises ethnic loyalty, handouts and proximity to perceived power brokers over integrity, performance and policy ideas.
Kebaso argued that many voters openly tolerate, and sometimes celebrate, corruption as long as the benefits appear to flow back to their communities.
He said this mentality has created an environment where leaders face little pressure to deliver meaningful development or accountability.
“If a leader does nothing for decades, we still praise him as long as he speaks our language or aligns with our kingpin,” he said.
“If someone steals public funds but supports your preferred political figure, they can win an election without even campaigning.”
According to the activist, such attitudes have eroded democratic accountability and weakened institutions meant to check abuse of power.
Kebaso also took aim at the role of tribal politics and money in elections, arguing that these two factors have become the main currencies of political success in Kenya.
He questioned whether leaders accused of corruption or ethnic mobilisation would remain popular if voters rejected divisive politics and refused to be influenced by cash handouts during campaigns.
“In a country where voters expect money from leaders, corruption becomes the qualification for leadership,” he said, adding that political office is increasingly seen as an investment that must be recouped through public resources.
The activist warned that Kenyan voters have gradually surrendered their independent thinking to community power brokers and political elites, effectively outsourcing decision-making.
“We have donated our brains to kingpins to choose leaders for us,” Kebaso said, arguing that many voters blindly follow endorsements without questioning competence, integrity or track record.
He noted that this behaviour discourages reform-minded leaders from emerging, as electoral success often depends on loyalty to powerful networks rather than ideas or vision.
Kebaso cautioned that unless voter behaviour changes, Kenya’s development aspirations will remain out of reach.
He argued that corruption does not only drain public funds but also distorts policy priorities, kills industries and entrenches inequality.
Without naming specific leaders, he said corruption has contributed to the collapse of factories, rising unemployment and persistent poverty in rural areas—problems that voters then blame on government without reflecting on their own role.
“If we don’t fix the Kenyan voter, we are not going to Singapore,” he said, referencing comparisons often made between Kenya and rapidly developing economies.
The activist called for a renewed focus on civic education, urging citizens to take elections seriously and demand accountability beyond campaign seasons.
He challenged voters to interrogate leaders’ records, reject ethnic incitement and stop normalising corruption as a political strategy.
“Politicians do what the boss wants, and the boss is the voter,” Kebaso said, questioning why leaders associated with tribal mobilisation and questionable wealth continue to enjoy widespread support.
He singled out Kenya’s voting culture, which he said prioritises ethnic loyalty, handouts and proximity to perceived power brokers over integrity, performance and policy ideas.
Kebaso argued that many voters openly tolerate, and sometimes celebrate, corruption as long as the benefits appear to flow back to their communities.
He said this mentality has created an environment where leaders face little pressure to deliver meaningful development or accountability.
“If a leader does nothing for decades, we still praise him as long as he speaks our language or aligns with our kingpin,” he said.
“If someone steals public funds but supports your preferred political figure, they can win an election without even campaigning.”
According to the activist, such attitudes have eroded democratic accountability and weakened institutions meant to check abuse of power.
Kebaso also took aim at the role of tribal politics and money in elections, arguing that these two factors have become the main currencies of political success in Kenya.
He questioned whether leaders accused of corruption or ethnic mobilisation would remain popular if voters rejected divisive politics and refused to be influenced by cash handouts during campaigns.
“In a country where voters expect money from leaders, corruption becomes the qualification for leadership,” he said, adding that political office is increasingly seen as an investment that must be recouped through public resources.
The activist warned that Kenyan voters have gradually surrendered their independent thinking to community power brokers and political elites, effectively outsourcing decision-making.
“We have donated our brains to kingpins to choose leaders for us,” Kebaso said, arguing that many voters blindly follow endorsements without questioning competence, integrity or track record.
He noted that this behaviour discourages reform-minded leaders from emerging, as electoral success often depends on loyalty to powerful networks rather than ideas or vision.
Kebaso cautioned that unless voter behaviour changes, Kenya’s development aspirations will remain out of reach.
He argued that corruption does not only drain public funds but also distorts policy priorities, kills industries and entrenches inequality.
Without naming specific leaders, he said corruption has contributed to the collapse of factories, rising unemployment and persistent poverty in rural areas—problems that voters then blame on government without reflecting on their own role.
“If we don’t fix the Kenyan voter, we are not going to Singapore,” he said, referencing comparisons often made between Kenya and rapidly developing economies.
The activist called for a renewed focus on civic education, urging citizens to take elections seriously and demand accountability beyond campaign seasons.
He challenged voters to interrogate leaders’ records, reject ethnic incitement and stop normalising corruption as a political strategy.
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