Court Breathes Life Into Reuben Kigame's Presidential Bid

The High Court has ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to allow presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame to submit his credentials for approval.

In a ruling on Monday, July 18, Justice Anthony Mrima ordered the commission to consider his papers after the court found that it had violated Kigame's rights by barring him from contesting to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 9, 2022, general elections.

The IEBC had previously rejected Kigame's credentials because he did not meet the requirements to run for the country's top seat, otherwise, he would have gone against Azimio's Raila Odinga, UDA's William Ruto, Roots Party's Prof. George Wajackoyah and David Mwaure Waihiga of the Agano Party, all cleared to vie for the seat.

Presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame address the media outside Anniversary Tower Nairobi, after a failed attempt to meet IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati regarding the barring of his candidature. /THE STAR

Kigame was full of praise following the ruling which came after a torrid past seven weeks to get his name on the ballot in the biggest race of the general elections.

“How can I thank God enough for the ruling on my case of exclusion from the ballot by IEBC and Wafula Chebukati!! It is finally possible for me to be on the ballot! Long live Justice and may God bless all who have prayed for me,” he tweeted.

However, IEBC lawyer Moses Kipkogei noted that it was too big of a task for the commission to consider the gospel musician turned politician's papers since the presidential ballot papers had already been printed.

Kigame, a presidential aspirant, had moved to court seeking orders to stop the IEBC from processing the credentials of the other candidates.

"A conservatory order is issued barring the 1st & 2nd Respondent (IEBC and Wafula Chebukati) from processing the papers for the other Presidential candidates for the upcoming General Election on 9th August 2022 pending the hearing and determination of the Application,” a petition filed by his lawyer Khaminwa read in part.

Kigame also blamed the commission for violating the Chebukati-led commission despite being a person living with disability.

“We asked for a meeting in order to resolve this. And I have witnesses in that room where he says that he understands my case but his hands have been tied. I would like to know who’s tying Chebukati’s hands,” Kigame told the press.

In the event the IEBC does clear him to vie, he faces a race against time to get himself on the podium alongside the other four presidential candidates during the Presidential Debate slated for Tuesday, July 26.

The member of the Eagles National Alliance launched his manifesto in Eldoret on Thursday, July 7, seemingly to prepare for the event that his fortunes in the presidential race would come to him. He explained that it is for the Kenyan Citizen and is referred to as Jenga Mkenya, adding that when Kenyan citizens have been helped it is easier for them to build the nation.

“My manifesto is for the Kenyan citizens. It is referred to as ‘Jenga Mkenya’ which is building the Kenyan in English. When building the Kenyan, you will have to ask yourself a question, which is, ‘if you want to build the Kenyan citizen, what will you give them?’ You do not start by building roads and railways, you start by providing them with food and water,” he said.

“You start by helping their sick livestock to be treated, you help the Kenyan first, and when they have gotten help, they will build the Nation.”

Reuben Kigame with presidential running mate Irene Ngendo Kamau. /TWITTER

The evangelist-turned politician said that his manifesto is based on three main things namely dignity, values and development, explaining that having dignity enables people to respect one another and that good values will make Kenya a God-fearing nation.