GEOFFREY MBUTHIA ENTERTAINMENT SUB-EDITOR

18 September 2024

• The tiff has left Kenyans divided.

Wueh! Today X has witnessed a battle between two X heavyweights Morara Kebaso and Mercy Tarus. The two have engaged in a war of words that has left Kenyans divided over who to support

But what happened exactly?

The feud has emerged within the anti-government movement that initially united activists against Kenya’s controversial 2024 Finance Bill.

The conflict pits two prominent activists, Morara and Mercy with each accusing the other of hijacking the movement’s agenda.

A United Front—At First

Initially, on September 8, the two activists seemed to be on good terms. Both were using "Kenya Ni Home" in their messaging, with Morara sharing a post about the movement shaking the country to its foundations, to which Tarus responded positively.

However, things took a turn when Morara began discussing the possibility of changing the slogan, suggesting it was already being used by another group.

What Sparked the Feud?

The tension revolves around the use of the slogan "Kenya Ni Home," with both Morara and Tarus claiming ownership of the phrase.

This slogan, which has become a key symbol of the anti-government movement, is now at the center of a leadership struggle between the two.

Both activists lead separate civic education initiatives, each using the slogan in their recent online campaigns.

Accusations Fly on Social Media

Mercy took to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse Morara of misusing the slogan to gain political clout. In a fiery post, she criticized him for acting against the values of the movement.

“We might be facing the same enemy, but our reasons differ,” she wrote, highlighting the division between their approaches.

Tarus also stressed that the movement should not have a single "messiah" figure, cautioning that some individuals are seeking political power rather than working for collective change.

Tarus' Claims of Plagiarism

Tarus claims that Morara has been seeking her advice but then taking credit for her ideas. She accused him of using the slogan and executing plans without truly understanding the movement’s vision.

In a public rebuke, Tarus warned Morara against being consumed by fame, accusing him of using her work to gain attention.

Morara's response:

Morara stressed that no one can claim ownership of a movement, but people can be part of it. He encouraged all Kenyans to display the "Kenya ni Home" slogan in their homes and record videos exposing corruption and stalled projects in their communities.

His said goal was to inspire everyone to take action. He also announced the next phase of the "Vampire Diaries Delaunch Tour".

Participants were advised to budget for personal expenses, as the group would inspect failed projects and hold civic engagement forums.

What do you think of this beef?