Gospel singer Reuben Kigame has filed an urgent court application seeking to privately prosecute key security leaders, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, and the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohammed Amin.

The petition accuses these officials of authorizing violent crackdowns that led to alleged crimes against humanity during nationwide Gen Z-led protests between June 2024 and July 2025.

Kigame is demanding that the National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations release all relevant evidence related to the protests, such as ballistics reports, CCTV footage, and autopsy findings.

He is also asking for protection of witnesses involved in the case. Additionally, he wants the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to hand over the prosecution file within 14 days so he can begin the private prosecution process.

"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," the court documents state.

Kigame’s petition describes the state’s reaction to the protests as marked by excessive use of live bullets, killings, abductions, and torture, which he says amount to serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

He also points out that despite a High Court ban on the use of tear gas on peaceful protesters, security forces continued deploying it heavily.

The petition highlights specific targeting of medical centers established around the central district to offer aid during the protests.

"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," Kigame said.

The singer referred to reports from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) which documented at least 39 deaths, over 400 injuries, and cases of abduction linked to the protests.

He added that the crackdown infringed on constitutional rights, including the right to life, freedom from torture, media freedom, and the right to peaceful assembly.

"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," Kigame noted.

Kigame also cited incidents that further fueled tensions during the 2025 protests, including the death in police custody of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, and the shooting of a vendor during demonstrations commemorating the anniversary of the previous year’s protests.