Renowned gospel singer and activist Reuben Kigame has announced his intention to contest the presidency in Kenya’s 2027 General Election. Speaking during an interview on NTV’s Fixing the Nation on Monday, Kigame declared that he is actively preparing to launch his campaign, marking his second attempt at the country’s top seat.
“I’m not hoping, I’m planning to be on the ballot in 2027. I’m just getting ready to launch officially in a couple of weeks,” Kigame said, emphasizing that the two years remaining before the polls offer ample time to mobilize and campaign.
Kigame was controversially barred from contesting in the 2022 elections by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), citing a shortfall in the required number of supporters’ signatures. However, the singer remains undeterred and is determined to complete the journey he started.
Central to Kigame’s campaign is a call for character-driven leadership. He underscored the urgent need for ethical, values-based governance at all levels—from Members of County Assembly (MCAs) to the presidency.
“We’ve got to look at the character of the person we elect. It’s not just about the presidency,” he said. Kigame referenced the prolonged legal issues involving former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko as an example of the consequences of poor leadership choices.
Reflecting on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) era, Kigame reiterated his longstanding view that Kenya needs value-based and people-centered reforms, not politically motivated ones. He urged religious institutions, the media, and civil society organizations to develop scorecards that measure the integrity and performance of leaders.
Kigame also applauded the youth for spearheading recent movements demanding transparency, accountability, and good governance. He encouraged voters to hold leaders accountable by critically examining their ability to fulfill promises made during election campaigns.
As the political landscape begins to shift ahead of 2027, Kigame’s entry adds a moral dimension to the debate—one focused less on power and more on principles, values, and service to the people.
