By Wasike Elvis 

Presidential aspirant Mwalimu Reuben Kigame has presented his decades-long record in media, education, music, peacebuilding and constitutional advocacy as his strongest qualification to lead Kenya, describing his presidential bid as a “job application” to Kenyan voters.

Kigame said the country needs a leader with vision, character, competence and integrity rather than one judged by physical ability, political theatrics or financial influence.

In a campaign message titled “Why You Should Hire Me to Restore Kenya,” Kigame challenged Kenyans to assess presidential aspirants based on their education, character and experience.

He used his blindness to make the point that physical sight should not be confused with leadership vision, noting that a person can see physically yet lack the vision required to transform a country.

Kigame also cited former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, who was blind and served as president between 1999 and 2001, as an example that disability does not prevent an individual from providing national leadership.

“Physical sight does not equal leadership vision,” Kigame said, arguing that what matters in leadership is the ability to formulate a vision and execute it.

The presidential hopeful said his experience may not include the negative practices he associates with poor governance, such as corruption, violence against protesters, abductions and misuse of public resources.

He instead pointed to more than three decades of experience building institutions, teaching, mentoring young people, running media enterprises, promoting peace and defending constitutional rights.

Media and entrepreneurship

Kigame highlighted his experience as the founder and Managing Director of Fish Media, where he operated Fish FM for a decade.

He said the media organisation provided employment and training opportunities to hundreds of people, many of whom later went on to work for major media houses in Kenya and beyond.

He also recalled his involvement with Hope FM, Radio Citizen, Kameme FM, Biblia Husema Broadcasting, Truth FM and Family FM, arguing that his experience in media management demonstrates his ability to create jobs, nurture talent and build sustainable institutions.

Education and mentorship

The presidential aspirant also placed education at the centre of his leadership credentials.

Kigame said he has spent more than 30 years teaching and mentoring, with experience ranging from secondary schools to universities and theological institutions.

He taught History, Government, CRE and Social Education and Ethics at Madira Secondary School and Maryhill High School in the early 1990s.

He later taught at the WTM School of Apologetics and Acre Bible College and served as a doctoral teaching fellow at Africa International University.

He currently teaches Philosophy and Theology at Daystar University.

According to Kigame, the experience has given him a deeper understanding of education, leadership, philosophy and the development of young people.

Peacebuilding and national healing

Kigame further cited his involvement in peacebuilding efforts following Kenya's 2007–2008 post-election violence.

He said he used his radio broadcasts and music to promote reconciliation while also supporting affected families with food, clothing and counselling.

He worked alongside the late Bishop Ben Bahati to provide counselling to internally displaced families in Eldoret and said he later used the Marithiano Youth Initiative to train young people in the North Rift as agents of peace and cohesion.

Following the Garissa University terrorist attack, Kigame said he partnered with FOCUS Kenya to support surviving students through psychological and spiritual counselling.

Constitutionalism and social justice

The presidential aspirant also highlighted his long-standing involvement in constitutional and human rights advocacy.

He said he participated in civic education campaigns during the 2005 and 2010 constitutional processes, helping communities understand their rights and responsibilities.

Kigame served as Secretary General and Chairman of the Restore and Build Kenya party and previously contested the Vihiga County gubernatorial seat, saying he accepted the election outcome after losing.

He also identified himself as one of the conveners of the Linda Katiba movement, which challenged aspects of the Building Bridges Initiative process.

He said he later challenged what he considered attempts to prevent him from participating in the 2022 presidential election.

Kigame further said he joined young Kenyans during the 2024 and 2025 protests against controversial Finance Bills, high taxation, unemployment and government expenditure.

He also pointed to several public-interest petitions involving issues including copyright protection for Kenyan musicians, accountability for security agencies and provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

Three decades in music

Beyond politics and advocacy, Kigame said his more than 30 years in music have enabled him to influence national culture while mentoring thousands of young creatives and leaders across East Africa.

He described music as an important tool for national identity and social transformation and said his experience working with young people has prepared him for the demands of inclusive national leadership.

“Hire me to restore Kenya”

Kigame concluded his message by directly appealing to voters to evaluate his presidential bid as they would a professional job application.

He said his record demonstrates experience in institution-building, education, entrepreneurship, peacebuilding, mentorship and constitutional advocacy.

“Leadership is not about how loud you can shout, how much money you can distribute, or how well you can see with your physical eyes,” Kigame said.

He maintained that Kenya needs leadership founded on vision, character, competence and commitment to citizens.

“I have the experience. I have the integrity. I am ready to work for you. Let us restore and build Kenya together,” he said.

Kigame's message comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, with presidential hopefuls increasingly presenting their records, policy ideas and leadership credentials to voters.

His campaign is using the themes “New Kenya,” “Lipo Tumaini,” “Mabadiliko Ni Sasa” and “Character Matters” as part of his political messaging.