By Ebrima Mbaye
Kemo Fatty, a prominent environmentalist and climate advocate, has announced his candidacy for political office. He frames his campaign not as a quest for power but as a rallying cry for systemic reform and youth empowerment in The Gambia. The move, revealed in an exclusive interview with TAT editor Sainey Marenah on his weekly show, ‘ The Final Take with MK,’ aired on Saturday, aims to galvanize young people to actively shape the nation’s future, particularly in safeguarding its vulnerable environment.
Fatty, who has dedicated nearly a decade to combating the climate crisis, said his decision to enter politics stems from frustration with the government’s lack of urgency in addressing environmental challenges. “After 8 to 9 years of engaging the climate crisis, I came to a difficult realization,” Fatty told Marenah. “Some people we have entrusted with responsibility are not necessarily driven by the desire to fix the problem. Many are simply occupying positions without purpose.”
His candidacy, aligned with the People’s Movement for Change (PMC), is not about personal ambition, Fatty emphasized, but about sparking a broader movement. “My candidacy is merely a spark,” he said. “It’s not about Kemo going to the office. It’s about issuing a wake-up call to the youth. We cannot continue to watch our country go up in flames, slowly and silently, while doing nothing.”
Fatty’s campaign highlights the disconnect between The Gambia’s environmental policies and their implementation. Despite the existence of legislation designed to protect the nation’s ecosystems, he argues that a lack of political will has rendered these laws ineffective. “The problem is not the absence of policies; it’s the failure to operationalize them,” he stated. His platform promises to bridge this gap through actionable, youth-driven governance.
Central to Fatty’s message is a call for young people to occupy political spaces at all levels—from the presidency to parliamentary seats, mayoral roles, and local councils. “This is the sobering truth: we, the young people, must start taking space in the political process,” he declared. “Representation matters. Participation matters.” He also emphasized the need for greater inclusion of women, noting that youth and women continue to be underrepresented in Gambian politics.
Fatty’s decision to join the People’s Movement for Change rather than forming a new party reflects his commitment to collective action. “I don’t need to start a new movement,” he explained. “I joined the People’s Movement for Change because whatever we say, we will do it.” The platform, he said, aligns with his vision for a Gambia driven by accountability, environmental stewardship, and inclusive governance.
The announcement has already sparked a nationwide reaction. Supporters, particularly among the youth, see Fatty’s candidacy as a bold step toward dismantling entrenched political inertia. “Kemo is speaking for us,” said Awa Jagne, a 23-year-old UTG student in Banjul. “We need leaders who care about the environment and our future, not just power.” Critics, however, question whether Fatty’s idealism can translate into practical governance, given the complexities of The Gambia’s political landscape.
Fatty remains undeterred, framing his campaign as a broader movement to empower a new generation of leaders. “We’ve seen how young people and women are underrepresented in our political system. That has to change,” he said. His vision includes environmental reform and reimagining civic engagement, urging young Gambians to move from spectators to active participants in national discourse.
Fatty’s message is clear as he announced his candidacy: The Gambia’s future depends on its youth’s courage and commitment. “This is about igniting a movement of young, policy-driven leaders determined to reshape our country’s trajectory,” he said. With environmental challenges mounting and political stakes high, Fatty’s candidacy could mark a turning point for The Gambia’s next generation.
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