By Eddah Waithaka
Gospel musician and activist Reuben Kigame officially declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 general elections during a spirited speech at his alma mater, Thika High School for the Blind, on Tuesday.
Kigame, who is visually impaired, returned to the school to donate musical instruments and deliver a wide-ranging address that challenged Kenyan society and the government to embrace full inclusivity for persons with disabilities.
“Indeed, I am eyeing the presidency. I eyed it in 2022, I’m going to be eyeing it in 2027,” Kigame stated in response to a question about his political ambitions.
“I have begun my journey towards becoming your sixth president.”He directly confronted stereotypes about his capability to lead, asking the audience, “If eyesight could save a nation, then all the presidents from independence would have solved your problems because they can see.” He argued that leadership requires vision and wisdom, not physical sight.
Reviving Music and Promoting Inclusivity
The event’s primary focus was the donation of a keyboard, saxophone, and recorders to the school.
Kigame said he partnered with representatives from Eugenia Park and Uba Bank to purchase the instruments to revive the school’s “dying” music culture, which he credited for his own career. “That’s what made me a musician. That’s what made me who I am today,” Kigame said.
He then broadened his message to advocate for systemic change. He praised Uba Bank for converting some of its forms into Braille and challenged other banks and institutions to follow suit.
He also called on the government to make all public documents accessible in Braille.Kigame demanded greater inclusion of sign language, not just on television stations, but also in public transport like matatus and in hotels.
He also insisted that buildings must be accessible, with ramps and ground-floor services, for people with physical disabilities.“Don’t put your office on the fourth floor if you are serving everybody,” he said.
Challenging Stereotypes and Funding Gaps
The activist criticized the government for what he called discriminatory funding. He pointed out that while the government assigns capitation of 22,000 Kenyan shillings to schools, Thika High School for the Blind often receives only 3,000 shillings.
He demanded timely and sufficient funding for all institutions serving persons with disabilities.Kigame also pushed back against limiting stereotypes about the capabilities of visually impaired individuals.
“We are here for ICT. We are here for cookery and cuisine. We are here for law and education courses,” he asserted. “We are here to say Thika High School for the Blind can be a model school [for] Africa, not just Kenya.”
A Platform of Lived Experience
Outlining his presidential platform, Kigame said his lived experience qualifies him to lead on issues of inclusivity. He promised to demonstrate that disability is not a hindrance to leadership.
“The first thing is, I would like the Kenyans to hire me because I’m someone living with disability. Give me a chance to demonstrate that,” he said.
He vowed to use his position to show companies in hospitality, telecommunications, law, and agriculture how to successfully hire and accommodate persons with disabilities.
“I can help companies to know how to accommodate persons living with disability because I live with disability myself,” Kigame said.
