Kigame promises values-driven presidency, pledges citizen-powered campaign

Presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame has unveiled a vision for Kenya’s leadership that he says will disrupt the status quo, center governance on citizens, and prioritize integrity and inclusivity.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive show on Wednesday night, the musician-turned-activist framed his bid as a break from traditional politics dominated by tribalism and recycled politicians.

“My presidency will be disruptive; I am a radical disruptor. We want to change the way politics and leadership in Kenya have been for a long time,” Kigame said, emphasizing that fresh leadership is crucial for national progress.

He added that his approach will involve bringing in leaders from diverse fields who have never held office, arguing that political experience alone should not determine who leads.

Kigame said education will form the backbone of his government, recalling his teaching career and work with the Teachers Service Commission.

“I want teachers at the centre. I taught at Mary Hill High School, I worked with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), resigned and even now I teach part-time at Africa International University. I want education to go back to where it was and even better,” he said.

He also highlighted the need to protect press freedom and expand opportunities for persons with disabilities, insisting that leadership is not limited by physical ability.

“I want to mainstream persons living with disability. It's assumed that if you have a disability, you can't lead, yet history is full of people with disabilities who led,” he said, citing examples like Tim Wanyonyi, Crystal Asige, and noting that former President Kibaki took office while using a wheelchair.

Kigame underlined that his campaign will uphold moral and constitutional values, which he described as missing from today’s politics.

“I want to bring the most important thing, values, because that's one thing every politician wants to avoid. Article 10, Chapter, Article 232. All these speak about values. You can't do government without values,” he said.

While the aspirant has declared a net worth of around Sh60 million, he stressed that his campaign will rely heavily on citizen contributions, reinforcing the idea that leadership can be financed without compromising ethics.

“You once saw the donation button,yes, that is one way, through my contributions. Of course, I have friends who are helping me and I hope they continue to do so. I do believe that citizens, anywhere, not just in Kenya, can fund a presidential candidate. And it doesn’t stop when Kigame says he wants to be president, we have a paybill, and I do believe Kenyans can support me,” he said.

Kigame’s vision seeks to redefine the presidency as a platform that prioritizes values, fairness, and empowerment, challenging the entrenched norms of Kenyan politics.