Ademba made the claims on Saturday, March 28, suggesting that pressure from authorities had intensified in recent days, forcing him to take precautionary measures to protect his safety and privacy.
According to him, the alleged surveillance and interference have reached a point where he has been compelled to change how he communicates with colleagues and supporters involved in the campaign.
“State machinery is working overtime. I had to buy a Kabambe. If you know, you know,” Ademba said in a brief statement shared online.
The term “Kabambe” refers to a basic feature phone often used to avoid digital tracking associated with smartphones.
Although he did not provide specific details about the alleged intimidation, Ademba hinted that certain dates had been particularly troubling during the ongoing mobilisation drive.
“There are other things I could say here, but it would be bad. Just know that the 19th and the 27th were bad days,” he added without elaborating further.
The ‘Niko Kadi’ movement has recently gained traction on social media, particularly among young people, as a campaign encouraging Kenyans to obtain national identification cards and register as voters ahead of future elections.
Supporters of the initiative say it is aimed at empowering citizens to participate in the democratic process, especially young voters who may not yet be registered.
However, the campaign has also sparked debate in political circles, with some observers questioning whether the movement has hidden political backing.
Ademba has strongly dismissed such claims, insisting that the initiative is entirely citizen-driven and not funded or controlled by any political leaders or parties.
In an earlier interview, he described the campaign’s “sponsorship” as symbolic, pointing to public frustrations with governance and corruption.
“We are sponsored by Kenyans, we are sponsored by those who died in 2024, we are sponsored by the 1.3 trillion that was stolen the other day, and the millions lost through eCitizen,” he said.
He further stressed that the campaign’s main goal is to encourage voter registration rather than promote any political candidate or party.
Ademba also criticised politicians for failing to mobilise citizens to register as voters in previous election cycles, arguing that ordinary citizens had now stepped in to fill that gap.
“To any politician claiming they want to work with us, you had the longest time to mobilise Kenyans to register as voters and you failed,” he said.
He warned that organisers would resist attempts by politicians to associate themselves with the campaign or use it for political mileage.
According to Ademba, several political figures have already reached out offering logistical support, including transport for mobilisation events in areas such as Kibra, Lang’ata and Embakasi constituencies.
However, he insisted that such offers would be rejected to preserve the independence of the movement.
“If any lorries show up at our rallies, we will chase them away. We are not going to allow politicians to hijack this initiative,” he stated.
The ‘Niko Kadi’ campaign continues to gain momentum online, with organisers urging more Kenyans to register as voters as part of broader civic participation efforts.
0 Comments