Video: Kasmuel McOure Opens Up about Secrets, Money-Making Deals in Activism
- Prominent Gen Z figure Kasmuel McOure detailed how some activists allegedly profit from protests by applying for grants and claiming credit for street mobilisations
- McOure recounted being approached by activists after the 2024 Gen Z protests, only to later realise many were more focused on money than the movement
- He likened activists to politicians, saying both thrive on public chaos and donor funding, often hiding behind noble causes to enrich themselves
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Protests may stir public emotion, but according to Kasmuel McOure, for some activists, they also open doors to big money.
Source: Twitter
In an earlier interview with YouTuber Dialogues With Jagero, Kasmuel revealed what he described as the little-known fundraising tricks used by protest organisers to earn money from civic demonstrations.
The outspoken Gen Z voice alleged that many activists thrive by applying for grants, using photos of large protest crowds to convince donors that they were responsible for the mobilisation efforts.
How do activists make money from protests?
These claims, he suggested, often translate into substantial donor funding.
“People are already out on the streets. All you have to do is apply for grants and claim that you were the one who mobilised them. Everyone retreats into their little cocoon and writes to donors, describing what their organisations have supposedly been doing,” Kasmuel said.
Kasmuel said that while some of the money raised does go into items such as water, flowers, T-shirts and even organising concerts, a significant portion serves personal interests.
He added that efforts to bring together different activist groups under one unified organisation have failed because of individual interests tied to funding.
“They cannot bring all these strengths to form one organisation, because that means that funding goes into one pool. All these people want to eat,” he claimed.
The outspoken youth leader recounted how, after gaining attention during the 2024 Gen Z protests, several activists reached out to him.
Did activists recruit Kasmuel McOure?
At first, he welcomed the gesture, believing it was rooted in solidarity, but soon realised the intentions were not purely activist-driven.
“One of my rules of thumb was, I cannot eat while comrades are in the streets. So I was wondering, how can we meet at 12 noon to sip coffee and eat chicken salads at the height of protests when people are in the streets,” he said.
He went on to say that he eventually understood these meetings were part of a well-oiled fundraising strategy, which included wellness packages and perks for so-called “frontline soldiers.”
“I realised these people are minting money. This is a proper, proper business,” he added.
According to Kasmuel, the public tends to focus on major political figures like Raila Odinga and William Ruto, while missing what he describes as an equally corrupt group of “career fundraisers” who benefit from disorder behind the scenes.
He added that there is very little difference between the activist class and politicians.
“They are all corrupt, just being called different names,” he said.
Did Kasmuel stand with Kenyans during June 25 protests?
TUKO.co.ke previously reported that ahead of the first anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests, Kasmuel pledged his solidarity with Kenyans planning to demonstrate on June 25, 2025.
Although he was in the United States for the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the time, he took to social media to express support for those expected to march against unresolved injustices and poor governance.
He reflected on his role in the 2024 protests, recalling how peaceful demonstrators were met with police brutality, leading to injuries and deaths. He described the experience as painful and deeply scarring.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
