Former presidential candidate Reuben Kigame has dismissed efforts by opposition leaders to build alliances around ethnic voting blocs ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying Kenya needs a new style of politics focused on ideas, policies and credible leadership instead of familiar political deals.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Monday, Kigame said he supports the idea of a united opposition but rejected coalitions that bring together the same political players who, in his view, have contributed to the country's current challenges.
"I am not against a united opposition. I am against the process of uniting with the same people that have brought us to where we are," Kigame said.
He took issue with what he described as "kingpin politics," where political leaders seek support by bringing together ethnic voting blocs instead of presenting solutions to national problems.
"People are talking tribalism. Let this tribe unite with this tribe. I am the kingpin of this group. You are the kingpin of this group. Let's come together and form a united government using kingpin tribal rhetoric and politics," he said.
Kigame warned that such political arrangements would only continue the country's old way of doing things, with negotiations centred on sharing government positions based on ethnic numbers rather than addressing the needs of citizens.
"If we go that route, then we are going to be entrenching the status quo because that's how we've always done stuff," he said.
He also argued that removing President William Ruto from office should not be the only objective of the opposition, saying Kenyans deserve leaders with a clear plan for the country's future.
"If you say we're going to unite with whoever it is to remove President William Ruto so that becomes the goal, but you come in talking about uniting with the same people that were talking about shareholding and all that, then what change are you giving the people of Kenya? There is no change," he said.
Instead, Kigame called for a fresh crop of leaders, saying the country should embrace young people and professionals with clean records.
"I am a staunch believer in drain the swamp, start afresh, new faces. In fact, I want more young people in government. I want to see professionals that have never stolen," he said.
He further challenged political leaders to shift the conversation from personalities and political alliances to practical solutions that improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
"I want to hear about how we will deal with debt, how our children will go to school, how we're going to make jobs work for people," he said.
Kigame said industrialisation and job creation should be at the centre of the country's political agenda to reduce the number of skilled Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad.
"Let's give the young people jobs here. We have enough. Let's industrialize. Let's make Kenya work for them. Those are the issues I want to hear," he said.
He also pointed to the millions of Kenyans who did not vote in the 2022 General Election, saying their decision reflected frustration with the political choices available at the time. According to Kigame, future elections should offer voters credible alternatives built on policies and leadership rather than ethnic alliances.