Gospel singer, activist, and 2027 presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame has publicly condemned the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for issuing him a KSh20 million tax demand, labeling it a “witch-hunt” aimed at silencing his activism. The demand comes just days after Kigame filed a court petition on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Milimani Law Courts, seeking to privately prosecute top security officials over alleged human rights abuses during the 2024 and 2025 Gen Z-led protests.
Kigame, a registered person with a disability (PWD), expressed shock and frustration over the tax claim, questioning its legitimacy given his modest income. “I don’t make that kind of money that can attract that kind of tax,” Kigame told The Standard in an exclusive interview on Saturday, August 2, 2025. “It is evil and vindictive for KRA to be treating me like a tax evader, like a tax criminal.” He noted that his monthly earnings, primarily from music royalties and small businesses, rarely exceed KSh200,000.
The timing of the KRA’s demand has raised suspicions, as it arrived just one day after Kigame’s court filing. The petition, certified as urgent by the High Court, targets Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji, and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin. Kigame accuses them of overseeing extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture, and the suppression of peaceful protests, which he claims resulted in over 100 deaths and numerous injuries. “Coincidence or fighting back my petition?” Kigame posted on X on August 2, 2025, hinting at possible retaliation.
Under Kenyan law, PWDs are entitled to tax exemptions, yet Kigame emphasized his commitment to voluntarily paying taxes as a responsible citizen. “There is what I call the voice of conscience,” he said, referencing ordinary Kenyans like police officers and market vendors who pay taxes despite lower earnings. “If I make slightly more than they do, why shouldn’t I pay tax?” He also alleged that the government owes him millions in unpaid music royalties, further questioning the KRA’s motives.
Kigame revealed that this is not the first instance of scrutiny from the KRA. He claimed that in May 2024, upon returning from a trip to the United States, the KRA accused him of selling a property worth KSh60 million between 2020 and 2024, a claim he dismissed as baseless. “I never sold any property,” he stated, intending to pursue diplomatic channels to resolve the issue before seeking legal redress.
The KRA has not publicly linked the tax demand to Kigame’s activism, stating that the action is part of routine compliance checks. However, the timing has sparked public debate, with some calling the move an attempt to intimidate Kigame. “Intimidating Reuben Kigame with KRA, when the whole world knows he’s a PWD & exempted from taxes is very wrong,” posted user @AlinurMohamed_ on August 2, 2025.
Kigame’s petition, supported by lawyer Gitobu Imanyara and activist Alamin Kimathi, seeks to hold security officials accountable for alleged crimes against humanity during the protests, which were fueled by grievances over taxation, high living costs, and unemployment. He has vowed to escalate the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if Kenya’s judiciary fails to deliver justice. “Justice must be served, even if it means going beyond our borders,” Kigame said, addressing the media outside Milimani Law Courts on July 31, 2025.
The controversy unfolds against Kenya’s fiscal challenges, with the KRA facing pressure to meet a Sh2.7 trillion revenue target for the 2025/26 financial year. The authority’s intensified tax enforcement has drawn scrutiny, particularly in light of Kenya’s Sh10.6 trillion public debt and a projected Sh253 billion revenue shortfall for 2024/25.
As Kigame continues his legal battle, his case highlights broader tensions between the government and activists challenging its policies. The outcome of both his tax dispute and his petition against security officials could have significant implications for civic space and accountability in Kenya.