Kenyan lawyer Morara Kebaso, once a rising figure in grassroots politics, says he is offering full refunds to anyone who contributed to his campaign efforts—insisting he never intended to be seen as a politician chasing votes for personal gain.

“I’ve been traumatised every day for looking like a thief,” Kebaso wrote in a candid post on Friday. “I am not ready to carry that burden into my future.”

The announcement, shared on his social media platforms, comes nearly a year after Kebaso publicly raised KSh 1.2 million for campaign-related equipment, including what he described at the time as a “super clear presidential address system.” The funds, he said, were meant to support his public outreach and national visits.

But as donations poured in, so did criticism. Some questioned his intentions. Others went as far as accusing him of “begging” under the guise of leadership.

‘I Just Wanted to Help’

Now, Kebaso says he wants to make things right.

“If you need a refund for any contribution you made to me when I was raising funds, kindly reply below with the M-Pesa message,” he wrote. “I would like to refund any Kenyan who may have thought the contributions were a motivation for me to seek leadership.”

Kebaso’s request was simple: send him the transaction record or M-Pesa reference code for verification. The refund, he promised, would follow.

He also pushed back against claims that the money was collected for personal benefit. “I cannot allow anyone to say I conned Kenyans or to keep calling me a beggar,” he said. “It’s damaging.”

A Campaign That Took a Different Turn

In September 2024, Kebaso made a heartfelt appeal to the public, asking for support to help him purchase a public address system to amplify his message across Kenya. The response was immediate and overwhelming. His mobile money account reached its KSh 500,000 limit within hours.

“Good evening,” he told followers at the time. “The transaction limit has been exhausted. Kindly stop sending until tomorrow.”

Back then, he described the effort as a “mission,” not a personal campaign. But many perceived the fundraising as the first step in a political bid. Kebaso insists that was never the case.

‘Call Me Baby Boy If You Must’

The weight of public perception appears to have worn him down. In a particularly emotional part of his post, he wrote: “So if refunding makes me a child, then call me Morara, the baby boy. But I need to get this load off my back and get lighter for a flight.”

The statement sparked both sympathy and sarcasm online. While some Kenyans praised his honesty, others mocked what they saw as a retreat under pressure.

Still, Kebaso maintains he’s doing this for peace of mind—not publicity. “I just want to move forward,” he said. “Without the burden, without the noise.”

It’s unclear how many Kenyans have requested refunds so far. But if Kebaso’s words hold, each one will be met with a no-questions-asked return.

For a man who once hoped to inspire a national conversation, it seems he's starting with a different kind of message: “Let me make things right.”