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A heated dispute unfolded Wednesday between activist Mercy Tarus and civic educator Morara Kebaso. The feud centers around the slogan “Kenya Ni Home,” which Tarus claims is her intellectual property, accusing Morara of co-opting it without permission for his own purposes.
Mercy Tarus, who rose to national prominence during the Uasin Gishu Finland scandal, has been a relentless advocate for social justice and accountability. Her activism gained attention when she stood up against local government officials involved in the mismanagement of a student scholarship program, which left numerous Kenyan students stranded abroad. Since then, she has become a leading voice in the country’s social justice movement, and the phrase “Kenya Ni Home” has been a rallying cry for her cause.
Morara Kebaso, on the other hand, is a prominent civic educator known for his efforts in raising political awareness and promoting civic engagement across Kenya. With years of experience working in communities, Morara has established himself as a public figure whose mission is to educate citizens on their rights, the constitution, and the importance of participation in governance. He is known for organizing grassroots workshops, public forums, and online campaigns that aim to empower ordinary Kenyans with knowledge about democracy and the political process.
Morara’s approach to civic education is both modern and accessible, using social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to engage with young people and build a following. His digital presence allows him to connect with a diverse audience, making civic knowledge more digestible for those who may not typically engage with political issues. Through his work, Morara has built a reputation as a figure who promotes political literacy, seeking to create a more informed and active electorate.
However, his latest move, a tweet that included the phrase “Kenya Ni Home,” sparked outrage from Tarus, who claims that the slogan is integral to her activism and therefore should not be used by anyone else. For Tarus, the phrase represents the heart of her movement, symbolizing her fight for a Kenya where accountability, justice, and good governance are at the forefront.
The conflict began when Morara casually used the phrase in a tweet, sparking an immediate backlash from Tarus. She took to her own social media accounts, accusing Morara of misappropriating her slogan and using it for political mileage. According to Tarus, “Kenya Ni Home” is more than just a catchy phrase—it is the cornerstone of a registered initiative that encompasses various projects aimed at creating social and political change in Kenya.
In a series of pointed posts, Tarus criticized Morara, accusing him of lacking originality and taking advantage of her ideas. “You cannot claim to be conducting civic education while piggybacking off my initiative for your own ambitions,” she wrote. Tarus also accused Morara of shifting his focus from genuine civic engagement to political organizing, something she felt undermined the credibility of his work. “It is slowly shifting from civic education to political rallies. This is what we call taking advantage of a movement,” she added.
The confrontation escalated when Tarus shared screenshots of private conversations between her and Morara, in which she claimed to have previously advised him on messaging and branding strategies. According to Tarus, Morara had sought her input on how to position himself politically, and she had offered guidance on how to craft his public image. Now, she argued, Morara was taking that advice and using it against her by appropriating the slogan that had become synonymous with her activism.
Morara, however, remained notably silent throughout the ordeal. Rather than addressing Tarus’ accusations head-on, he continued posting videos of his civic education activities and engaging his followers through polls on his X account.
Tarus remained adamant that her initiative is a formal entity, with projects aimed at making a lasting impact on Kenyan society. She emphasized that “Kenya Ni Home” is not just a slogan, but an umbrella organization with a broad scope of activities, including educational programs and community-based initiatives. “Kenya Ni Home has 47 legacy projects. It works with key partners on liability and credibility, and it is even establishing a school,” she stated.
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