- In a video circulated on X on March 20, 2026, Kigame called for greater accountability and legal limits on presidential contract‑signing powers.
Kenyan gospel musician and 2027 presidential contender Reuben Kigame has condemned the practice of presidents using their authority to lock citizens into long‑term deals without bearing responsibility once they leave office.
In a video circulated on X on March 20, 2026, Kigame called for greater accountability and legal limits on presidential contract‑signing powers.
“We must end the practice of presidents signing long‑term contracts on behalf of Kenyans and then walking away with immunity once they leave office. A leader elected for five or ten years cannot bind the nation to obligations that stretch fifteen years or more. That is unacceptable. It is unthinkable,” he said.
Kigame has urged Parliament to pass a law preventing presidents from signing agreements—whether business deals, military pacts, or asset sales—that extend beyond their term in office.
He argues that if a president commits the country’s money or assets in such contracts, the financial burden should fall on that president personally, not on future generations.
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“If you leave office after signing contracts, the financial burden should fall on you—not on our children. Presidents should not commit the nation’s money, sell assets, or enter military agreements on behalf of citizens who never participated in those decisions,” he added.
Kigame pointed to Talanta Stadium as an example of what he called “nonsensical” financing structures. The project, initially costing around Sh45 billion, is projected to balloon to more than Sh100 billion over 15 years due to repayment terms.
“There is no need to bother Kenyans by overwhelming them with debt 15 or 20 years later. Something has to be done. We have to do leadership differently,” Kigame warned.
Kenyans quickly weighed in on social media. One user, @Jamo_, argued for collective decision‑making: “Let them sign what the people agree, this way whomever comes into office is bound to implement. Changing policies every time a regime changes is not sustainable in the long term.”
Another, @WaNduta8, emphasized constitutional safeguards: “All people in government should act with absolute good faith and fidelity. Citizens should have the constitutional right to challenge any public officer to prove in a court of law that their actions are in pursuit of the common good.”
Kigame’s warning comes as Kenya grapples with several major infrastructure projects financed through long‑term loans:
Standard Gauge Railway (SGR): Funded by China Exim Bank, the debt approximately Sh845 billion was restructured in 2025 to extend repayment to 2040, with a five‑year grace period and conversion to Yuan to reduce exchange risks.
Konza Technopolis: The flagship Vision 2030 project has ballooned to Sh1.4 trillion. In 2024, Kenya signed a Sh31 billion loan with Korea Exim Bank to fund a Digital Media City, with repayments stretching over decades.
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