Reuben Kigame Officially Declares Presidential Bid, Vows To Unseat Ruto in 2027
- Reuben Kigame declared his 2027 presidential bid, vowing to end what he called betrayal by the Kenya Kwanza administration
- The veteran singer accused President William Ruto of ignoring corruption and presiding over worsening hardship, but promised a new path
- His Nairobi launch was disrupted after police blocked a planned rally despite an earlier permit that had cleared the meeting
- Kigame dismissed doubts about his visual disability, citing global precedents and insisting nothing could derail his resolve
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Veteran gospel singer and activist Reuben Kigame has officially declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027.
Source: Facebook
He vowed to unseat President William Ruto, accusing his Kenya Kwanza administration of betraying the promises it made to Kenyans.
Kigame, who was locked out of the 2022 race by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), said his new bid is a fight to rescue the country.
The singer stated that his presidency would rescue Kenya from corruption, failed service delivery, and what he described as growing repression under Ruto’s regime.
"Fighting corruption is not a matter of statements. It is a matter of action. It is not a matter of establishing a commission. Fighting corruption is really deciding that, from today, nobody is going to be corrupt. Ruto has had more than three years to be able to do that. He cannot be beginning now," he stated.
What is Kigame's take on Kenya under Ruto?
The gospel singer-turned-politician was scathing in his assessment of the Kenya Kwanza government.
He accused Ruto of failing to act on corruption, presiding over worsening economic hardship, and eroding constitutional freedoms.
"We believe it is wrong for taxes to keep rising. Health services have collapsed; even though there is the SHA, only a few people actually benefit from its services. We also believe that education has deteriorated," he said.
Kigame also raised alarm over what he termed a pattern of abductions and human rights abuses, saying the administration had failed to protect its citizens.
He described the country as “veering off course” and argued that urgent change was required to restore trust and hope.
Kigame said his campaign will rest on a three-point agenda: dismantling the roots of corruption, implementing the 2010 Constitution in full, and empowering citizens through economic and social justice.
Why did Kigame clash with govt officials?
Kigame made his declaration on Wednesday, August 2o in Nairobi, but the event was marred by a clash with the police.
Officers blocked him from holding a rally at Kenyatta Market, where he had planned to formally launch his candidature.
According to Kigame, police initially cleared the meeting through a permit issued on July 14, only to revoke it four days later without explanation.
He claimed the move was part of wider attempts by state agencies to frustrate his political ambitions.
Source: Twitter
Despite the setback, Kigame insists he has the experience, moral authority, and resolve to steer the country in a new direction.
He pointed to international precedents, saying his visual disability should not be seen as a barrier to leadership.
"I do not want anybody thinking that because I have visual disability, I cannot lead this country. I want to tell you I would not be the first one because President Gusdur of Indonesia led and he was blind. Kibaki was in a wheelchair. You've had five presidents who are seeing. If eyes could solve the problems of Kenya by now, they would have been solved. It's not about eyes," he added.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
