NAIROBI, KENYA – Kasmuel McOure, a prominent activist and the current Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Youth Leader, has publicly recounted being blacklisted by President William Ruto’s security detail. In a podcast interview released on Monday, 10th November 2025, McOure stated he was restricted from accessing the presidential dais at official events following an unspecified incident of “misbehaviour.”

Speaking on the ‘Oga Obinna’ YouTube podcast, McOure disclosed that presidential security personnel had barred him from sitting near the Head of State. “I was blacklisted from the presidential [dais] by presidential security,” he stated, recalling a specific event where he was prevented from occupying a front-row seat in the president's presence. While McOure did not elaborate on the precise nature of the misconduct during the podcast, other reports point to an incident where he was allegedly “roughed up after breaching protocol to greet” the late opposition leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto. The exact date and location of this protocol breach were not specified.

Streamline News' attempts to get a statement from State House and the Presidential Security Unit regarding McOure’s claims and the protocols for such restrictions were not answered by the time of publication.

A Contentious Political Figure

Kasmuel McOure emerged as a household name in Kenya during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, largely driven by Generation Z activists. His eloquence, distinctive afro hairstyle, and signature three-piece suits made him a recognizable face of the movement that challenged the government's fiscal policies. An alumnus of the Technical University of Kenya with a degree in Finance, McOure leveraged his platform to advocate for social justice and mental health.

However, his political trajectory has been fraught with controversy. His subsequent alignment with the ODM party, under the mentorship of the late Raila Odinga, and his acceptance of a youth leadership position were viewed by many of his former activist peers as a betrayal of the leaderless, non-partisan spirit of the Gen Z protests. He has since faced accusations of being a “sell-out” and has been confronted with public backlash, including being chased away from the End Femicide protests in early 2025.

Implications in a Shifting Political Climate

McOure's revelation comes at a time of complex political realignments in Kenya. As a youth leader in the country's main opposition party, his anecdote provides a glimpse into the stringent security measures and political sensitivities surrounding the presidency. Access to the presidential dais is tightly controlled, and any individual deemed a security risk or a protocol liability can be denied proximity to the Head of State.

The disclosure is particularly significant given ODM's recent political posturing. Through figures like McOure, the party's youth wing has publicly ruled out any alliance with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, signalling a commitment to work with President Ruto’s administration through the existing broad-based government arrangement. McOure has been vocal in urging party members to focus on ensuring the Kenya Kwanza administration delivers on its promises, including economic recovery and justice for victims of police brutality.

This cooperative yet critical stance places figures like McOure in a unique position. His personal account of being disciplined by the president's security detail, even as his party engages in high-level cooperation with the government, underscores the delicate balance opposition figures must strike. It serves as a stark reminder that despite political handshakes and collaborative frameworks, the lines of authority and the enforcement of state protocols remain firmly in place.

While the incident remains a personal recollection, it feeds into a broader national conversation about political tolerance, the role of activism, and the operational boundaries of state security in a democratic society. For the Kenyan public, it highlights the often-unseen friction that can exist between emerging political leaders and the established structures of state power.