Kasmuel McOure Exposes the Hidden Profiteering Within Activism Circles
“AKasmuel McOure Exposes the Hidden Profiteering Within Activism Circlesctivism or opportunism?” The Gen Z activist unpacks how demonstrations have become gateways to donor cash.
Renowned Gen Z activist Kasmuel McOure has pulled back the curtain on what he calls a worrying trend in modern activism—monetising social movements.
In a candid revelation, McOure claimed that some activists are leveraging protests not just for civic change.
But as avenues for personal enrichment through grants and donor funding.
Following the landmark 2024 Gen Z-led protests in Kenya, McOure says he was approached by several individuals who presented themselves as fellow change-makers.
However, he later realized that many were more invested in financial gain than in genuine reform.
“It’s a business for some”—McOure Speaks Out
In a prior interview with the YouTube series Dialogues With Jagero, McOure explained how organisers use imagery from protests—photos and videos.
And crowd scenes—as proof of influence to secure funding.
“People are already on the streets. All one needs to do is claim responsibility, apply for grants, and write to donors explaining how your organisation supposedly drove the movement,” he said.
While he acknowledged that part of the funds may go toward protest essentials like bottled water, branded T-shirts, and event logistics.
Also, he asserted that a large portion is often diverted for personal benefit.
He also pointed out the difficulty in unifying activist organisations due to individual interests tied to funding streams.
“Pooling resources threatens their incomes. Everyone wants a cut. So no one wants to merge their platforms,” McOure added.
“Chicken salads during protests?” — Disillusionment With ‘Comrades’
Recalling his early days as a rising activist voice, McOure shared how he initially welcomed outreach from seasoned organisers.
But it soon became clear that their motives weren’t always aligned with the movement’s ideals.
“My principle was always that I won’t eat while comrades are on the streets. So I started questioning why we’re meeting at noon, drinking coffee and eating salads while others are risking their lives,” he recounted.
He eventually recognized these meetups as part of a larger, structured fundraising model—complete with wellness packages and allowances for so-called “frontline warriors.”
“That’s when I realised—this is a well-run industry. It’s profitable. A business, really,” he concluded.
Donor Dependency and Career Activism
McOure criticized what he called a growing category of “career fundraisers”—individuals who operate behind the scenes.
Thus, capitalizing on public unrest to gain financial traction from donors.
“We’re always focused on leaders like Raila or Ruto. But beneath them is another class, equally dangerous—people who thrive in chaos and pocket donor funds under the guise of activism,” he warned.
🇺🇸 Solidarity Across Continents
Despite the controversy surrounding his revelations, McOure has remained vocal about his commitment to justice and public accountability.
Though he was in the United States for the Mandela Washington Fellowship during the 2025 anniversary of the Gen Z protests.
He expressed strong support for those planning to demonstrate on June 25, 2025, through social media.
He reflected on the 2024 protests with emotion, recalling the violence meted out by law enforcement that left many wounded and some dead.
“That experience was painful. It changed me forever,” he wrote.
Summary
Kasmuel McOure’s testimony offers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the inner workings of activism today—an ecosystem that, according to him, is not always as altruistic as it seems.
As a generation known for speaking truth to power, his revelations challenge not just government structures, but also accountability within civil society itself.
ALSO READ: KHRC Warns Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom: Don’t Shut Down the Internet During Protests
