NAIROBI, Kenya – Gospel singer and rights advocate Reuben Kigame has announced that he will run for president in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for a second attempt at the country’s top seat after being locked out of the 2022 race.
Speaking during an interview on NTV’s Fixing the Nation on Monday, Kigame said he is no longer just hopeful but actively preparing for a nationwide campaign to unseat President William Ruto.
“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. Two years is good enough to roll it out,” he said.
In 2022, Kigame’s candidacy was rejected by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on grounds of failing to meet the required signature threshold. This time, he says, he is better prepared.
Kigame’s renewed bid is anchored on what he calls “character-driven leadership” — a principle he says is sorely lacking in Kenya’s political class.
“We’ve got to look at the character of the person we elect, and it’s not just about the presidency. We need character-driven MCAs, women reps, MPs, governors. You can see cases in the papers today, people like Sonko — years later and we’re still dealing with the consequences,” he said.
The singer and activist also criticized past political projects such as the 2020 Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), arguing that Kenya needs value-based initiatives instead of politically motivated reforms.
Kigame challenged institutions such as churches, media houses, and civil society organizations to hold leaders accountable by developing scorecards to assess their commitment to integrity and ethical governance.
He also lauded young Kenyans for taking the lead in demanding transparency and accountability from those in power, noting that their activism is a hopeful sign for the country’s future.
“The youth are waking up — and that’s a good thing. Kenyans must now evaluate their leaders not just by promises, but by their ability to follow through,” he added.
Kigame is expected to officially launch his campaign in the coming weeks, making him one of the first candidates to declare interest in the 2027 presidential race.
