VIHIGA, Kenya – Presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame is now advocating for a law that would prohibit sitting presidents from entering into long-term contracts that go beyond their terms in office.
Kigame claims that these contracts have greatly contributed to Kenya’s mounting public debt and delayed progress.
After attending the second Interdenominational Prayer Breakfast at Kaimosi Friends University, Kigame announced that sitting presidents should only sign contracts whose terms are within their constitutional tenure.
He argued that the nation needs to stop what he called careless borrowing and contract signing, which leaves future generations with bills for projects they neither approved nor benefited from.
“A law should be passed stating that if you are a president, you should not make contracts on behalf of the people of Kenya stretching beyond your term in office,” Kigame said.
What the long-term government contracts mean to Kenyans
He claims that numerous long-term government contracts have bound Kenyans to decades-long payback obligations, even after the officials who signed them have left power.
“We need to stop the nonsense of a president signing things on behalf of the people of Kenya and then leaving power while enjoying some kind of immunity. It is unacceptable. You have a five- or ten-year term, then sign contracts that bind Kenyans for over 20 years,” he noted.
Kigame, a gospel artist turned politician, further suggested that leaders who commit the nation to expensive contracts that subsequently burden taxpayers should be held personally accountable.
“Once you leave office, the money should be paid from your own pocket and not burden future generations with costs incurred during your tenure,” he added.
The repayment method of the Kenyan government loans
He condemned what he called excessive government borrowing, claiming that some loans are repaid at more than three times their original value and that many initiatives funded do not yield significant economic returns.
“You get into military contracts, sell to government companies, and leave the people carrying the burden. We will come after you for the costs incurred and recover them from you as an individual. Something has to be done. One takes out a loan, which is repaid over the years at triple the amount or more. Leadership must be different,” Kigame explained.
Kigame’s comments coincide with Kenya’s growing public anxiety over debt payments, since a significant portion of the country’s income is allocated to loan repayment, which restricts funds for social services and development initiatives.
Additionally, Kigame denounced the growing pattern of personal verbal abuse between government and opposition leaders at recent political rallies, characterising the interactions as impolite and unfit for public duty.
What Kenyans should consider while electing their leaders
He claimed that to address Kenya’s leadership dilemma, it is necessary to look at the personalities of individuals running for office.
“To get better leadership in Kenya, we must first check the character of a person,” he observed.
The political rights and human rights activists criticised leaders of both the government and the opposition for making divisive public statements, adding that while speaking to the public, politicians should use restraint and be careful with what they say.
“I cannot defend the government of the day because of the insults we are hearing. Leaders must exercise self-control in what they say publicly,” emphasised Kigame.
Kigame, a member of the Justice and Freedom Party of Kenya, argued that experience shouldn’t be used as an excuse for subpar leadership and urged Kenyans to choose new leaders in the upcoming general election.
“If we genuinely want change in leadership, let’s examine each candidate’s character, from MCAs to MPs, senators, governors, and the president. They claim that we lack experience, but we won’t accept that if it implies that we are incapable of robbing or insulting others,” Kigame stated.
He said that the nation expects leadership based on morals and accountability and urged all leaders to maintain honesty, decency, and emotional control when speaking to the public.
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