BBC’s ‘Blood Parliament’ documentary sparks outrage in Kenya

By Wanderi Kamau

The British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) chilling exposé titled Blood Parliament has reignited outrage in Kenya over the violent crackdown on the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests against the controversial Finance Bill.

The hard-hitting documentary, aired on April 27, meticulously details how Kenyan security forces allegedly used excessive force, leading to the deaths of unarmed protesters, and has sent shockwaves through the political establishment and human rights community.

In the documentary, the BBC’s Africa Eye team captures stark footage of protesters being shot at close range and reveals key evidence linking security officers to the fatal shootings of young demonstrators. The revelations have triggered furious reactions from Kenya’s political class, human rights defenders, and oversight bodies.

Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament, Peter Kaluma, was among the first political figures to react, calling for the expulsion of the BBC from Kenya. “Ban the BBC in Kenya. The role played by the media in any democracy is too important to be discharged irresponsibly. The media can build a greater democracy or destroy an otherwise stable state. Lest we forget, the Rwanda mass annihilation would not have occurred were it not for reckless media,” Kaluma stated in a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter).

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma. Photo/K24 Digital

However, human rights organizations have countered Kaluma’s call with a defense of the documentary and a renewed demand for accountability. Irungu Houghton, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, praised the BBC’s exposé. “No digital campaigns can hide three facts: 1) Unarmed protesters were killed on 25/6; 2) The #BBCAfricaEye has exposed two of the smoking guns; 3) Ten months on, no Kenyan agency is close to prosecuting those who killed David, Ericsson, and Eric. Thank you @BBCAfrica and all involved. We demand justice, not distractions,” Houghton posted.

IPOA updates public on investigations

In response to the heightened public pressure following the documentary’s release, Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) issued a detailed status update on its investigations into police conduct during the 2024 protests. The Authority acknowledged that it had launched comprehensive investigations into incidents reported nationwide during the mass demonstrations against the Finance Bill.

IPOA chairperson Isaac Hassan. Photo/Capital Digital

According to the IPOA’s report, a total of 60 deaths were registered during the protests. Of these, 22 investigations have been completed, 36 cases remain active, and two have reached court proceedings. Additionally, IPOA has forwarded four cases to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action, while three others were closed following the DPP’s directives. Eight cases are undergoing final internal reviews before possible prosecutions.

The cases under investigation span several regions across Kenya, including Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Nairobi, and Mombasa. Victims such as Francis Kipkorir Sawe, Benson Ouma, Erickson Kyalo, and David Chege are among those whose deaths have been documented, with causes ranging from gunshot wounds to blunt force trauma.

The Nairobi demonstrations, particularly around Parliament, were notably violent, with multiple fatalities recorded. For instance, Erickson Kyalo and David Chege were fatally shot near the Parliament area on June 25, according to the IPOA update. Their cases remain under active investigation.

Calls for accountability grow louder

Beyond fatalities, IPOA also recorded 233 injuries linked to the protests, with 191 cases still under investigation. The Authority cited challenges such as non-cooperation from police officers and witnesses, which has hampered progress. Despite these setbacks, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan assured the public that the Authority remains committed to conducting independent, impartial, and apolitical investigations, vowing that perpetrators will be held accountable where culpability is established.

“The Authority also observed instances of non-cooperation from both police officers and witnesses, which has hampered the progress of some investigations,” Hassan stated. “Nevertheless, the Board is actively engaging the police command to address this challenge and ensure justice for all victims.”

Irungu Houghton, the Executive Director – Amnesty International, Kenya. Photo/irunguhoughton.com

The BBC’s Blood Parliament documentary has thus amplified the demand for justice in Kenya, casting an international spotlight on the unresolved grievances stemming from the deadly Finance Bill protests. It has reignited calls for accountability at a time when many families of victims still await justice.

Amnesty International and other civil society groups have emphasized that while political leaders may attempt to discredit the media, the focus must remain on delivering justice for the young lives lost. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” Houghton stressed, urging authorities to expedite prosecutions and punish those found responsible.

Meanwhile, public discourse around media freedom, police brutality, and governance continues to intensify.

Analysts warn that how the Kenyan government handles the fallout from Blood Parliament could significantly shape the country’s democratic future, particularly as it grapples with youth-led dissent and the demand for more responsive leadership.

As the investigations continue and public scrutiny mounts, all eyes remain on the IPOA, the ODPP, and the Kenyan judiciary to see whether justice will prevail or whether the tragic events of June 25, 2024, will be buried under political expediency.