By KPC Reporter
A Kenyan, Reuben Kigame now wants the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to prosecute senior officials for alleged crimes against humanity during recent Gen Z-led protests.
In a letter seen by KPC dated July 17, 2025, and signed by his legal team at Gitobu Imanyara & Co. Advocates, Kigame accuses the State of responding to peaceful protests with “unlawful lethal violence.”
Dr Kigame who is a human rights defender, gospel artist and theologian says this led to the deaths of over 90 civilians, many of them young people.
The protests were primarily against the rising cost of living, oppressive taxation, and a surge in state brutality.
The letter claims that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, issued public orders interpreted as authorizing the police to use live ammunition against unarmed protesters.
“This constituted a clear, public order to commit criminal acts against the civilian population,” the document says.
Victims were reportedly tortured, abducted, and in some cases, later found dead.
The legal notice demands investigations and prosecutions under the International Crimes Act (Cap 60), specifically for crimes against humanity, conspiracy, and command responsibility.
The advocates want the DPP to initiate proceedings within 10 days or consent to a private prosecution.
They also demand urgent preservation of critical evidence including ballistic reports, post-mortem results, police orders, and CCTV footage.
The letter warns that failure to act will result in legal action to compel the DPP, citing the precedent set in Kimani v. Kihara [1985] KLR 79.
This case, according to information online, established that a private citizen may seek court permission to prosecute a public official when state authorities fail to act.
“The gravity of the alleged crimes… strikes at the very heart of the rule of law,” the letter, which is copied to the Attorney General (AG) adds.