Gospel artist and former presidential candidate Reuben Kigame has taken a bold step by filing a private prosecution case against top government security officials.
He wants them held responsible for the killings and disappearances of young protesters during the Gen Z demonstrations that took place in 2024 and 2025.
The case has been filed in the High Court’s criminal division in Nairobi. Those named in the suit include Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, National Intelligence Service boss Noordin Haji, and Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga.
Kigame is being represented by well-known human rights lawyer Gitobu Imanyara. In the case, Kigame blames the security chiefs for allowing or even enabling the killing of unarmed youth who were peacefully protesting.
He says more than 100 protesters and innocent people lost their lives, and many were kidnapped, tortured, and later found dead. Some bodies were found dumped in places that suggested they were murdered by security forces.
According to Kigame, the state failed in its duty to protect life and instead turned its power against the people.Outside Milimani Law Courts, Kigame said this case is not about politics.
He explained it is about doing what is right, defending the constitution, and standing up for human life.
He also made it clear that this case could be the first step in taking the matter to the International Criminal Court so that those who committed crimes against humanity face justice.
His legal team also noted that they had already given the Director of Public Prosecutions a 14-day warning to act, but nothing happened.
They now want the court to allow them to carry out a private prosecution, claiming that the DPP failed in his job and should be held accountable as well.
Kigame’s petition goes further to demand that those who planned or encouraged the violence should be named and prosecuted. He wants those responsible for sending armed men to attack peaceful Gen Z protesters to be punished.
His move has been welcomed by civil society and human rights groups, who say it is long overdue. They believe this action could bring justice to the victims and stop such abuses from happening again.
So far, the government has not made any public comments on the case.
