Reuben Kigame seeks court order to prosecute top cops over brutality during Gen Z protests

Reuben Kigame speaks during a past event. (Photo: Kigame/X)

By Carolyne Kubwa
Thursday, July 31, 2025

Reuben Kigame is seeking a declaration that the desecration of bodies and public display of police brutality during the peaceful public protests amount to violation of the right to human dignity.

Gospel singer Reuben Kigame has filed an urgent application seeking to privately prosecute senior security officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss, Mohammed Amin.

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In his petition, Kigame accuses the officials of authorising violent crackdowns which precipitated alleged crimes against humanity during the nationwide Gen Z-led protests against taxation, high living costs and unemployment between June 2024 and July 2025.

Kigame is seeking an order compelling the National Police Service (NPS) and the DCI to release all relevant evidence, including ballistics, CCTV footage, and autopsy reports and to protect witnesses.

He also wants the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to hand over the prosecution file within 14 days to enable him to initiate the private prosecution.

"An order compelling the NPS and the DCI to release all evidence and to provide witness protection to survivors and families. And directing the DPP to surrender the prosecution file to the Petitioner within 14 days", read the documents in part.

The singer further seeks declarations that the state’s response, characterised by the use of live bullets, killings, abductions and torture, amounts to human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

"Despite the high court prohibiting the use of teargas on peaceful protesters in Constitutional Petition No. E009 OF 2024, police deployed heavy use of tear gas. Specific targeting of medical centres, which had been set in and around the central district, was also noted," said Kigame.

He highlighted that reports from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) documented at least 39 deaths, at least 400 injuries and cases of abduction during protests.

"This action directly violates Article 34(2) of the Constitution, which guarantees media freedom and prohibits state interference, as well as Article 35(1)(b), which ensures the public's right to access information," he added.

According to Kigame, KNCHR cited violations of constitutional rights, including the right to life, freedom from torture, freedom of the media and the right to peaceful assembly.

He noted that the 2025 protests were further inflamed by incidents such as the death in police custody of a blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang, and the shooting of a vendor during demonstrations marking the anniversary of the 2024 protests.