Activist and lawyer Morara Kebaso was allegedly attacked at the Bomas of Kenya during a public forum on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The incident occurred when a group of rowdy locals threw chairs at Kebaso as he entered the venue, forcing him to flee. He had arrived earlier to participate in the forum, but tensions escalated quickly.
Kebaso has been in the spotlight recently after being arrested earlier in the week on cyber-harassment charges. He was accused of making defamatory statements about businessman David Langat and mentioning President William Ruto on X (formerly Twitter). His arrest led to public outrage, with activists rallying behind him and using the hashtag Free Morara Kebaso to demand his release. Many saw the arrest as government intimidation due to Kebaso’s activism.
Since June 2024, Kebaso has been documenting corruption, stalled government projects, and misuse of public funds. He has been particularly vocal after youth-led protests turned violent over proposed tax hikes. These protests resulted in over 50 deaths and many missing persons. Eventually, President Ruto dropped the tax legislation and dismissed most of his cabinet members.
Following his arrest, Kebaso appeared in court, where his lawyers argued that the charges were civil, relating to defamation, rather than criminal cyber-harassment. However, the prosecution insisted the charges were valid. The court granted Kebaso cash bail as the case awaits a ruling.
Despite facing threats due to his activism, including being followed by unmarked vehicles and receiving anonymous warnings, Kebaso remains determined. He refuses to let fear stop him from continuing his work. His supporters are still calling for accountability and transparency from the government. The situation at Bomas remains under investigation.
By Kenyans