The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has praised the BBC for its bold investigative reporting that exposed police brutality and killings during last year’s Finance Bill protests.
The documentary, titled Blood Parliament, highlights how law enforcement officers used excessive force against unarmed protesters outside Parliament buildings in Nairobi.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, KUJ Secretary General Erick Oduor commended the BBC for upholding the principles of press freedom and holding state authorities accountable.
“This is the kind of journalism we need today to hold those in power to account,” said Oduor. “The Blood Parliament documentary shows the media’s critical role as the Fourth Estate, especially in ensuring that government respects the rule of law.”
He also dismissed criticism from some politicians, saying such reactions show discomfort with the truth. “A section of the political class may be unhappy with this excellent piece of journalism, but it’s only a matter of time before reality catches up with them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the BBC has revealed that Kenyan authorities blocked a public screening of the documentary, which was scheduled to take place at Unseen Nairobi Cinema on Monday evening. The screening was to be followed by a panel discussion.
“A screening of BBC Africa Eye’s Blood Parliament in Kenya was cancelled due to pressure from the authorities,” a BBC spokesperson confirmed. “We are very disappointed not to have been able to share the documentary and discussion as planned. However, the film is now available on BBC Africa’s YouTube channel.”
The documentary investigates the events of June 25, 2024, when youth-led protests, primarily driven by Gen Z demonstrators, turned deadly. Over 60 people were killed across the country as police clamped down on crowds protesting the controversial Finance Bill.
According to the BBC, investigators reviewed more than 5,000 images to reconstruct what happened during the deadly confrontation outside Parliament. The film has already garnered over two million views on YouTube within a day of its release.
The footage identifies several individuals believed to have been responsible for issuing orders and carrying out fatal shootings. One officer, Job Kaboi of Nairobi’s Central Police Station, is seen allegedly directing his colleagues to fire at protestors. Another masked officer is believed to have shot and killed 39-year-old David Chege and 25-year-old Erickson Mutisya just outside Parliament.
The documentary also names a Kenya Defence Forces officer suspected of shooting University of Nairobi student Eric Shieni, 27, who was hit in the head while fleeing the area.
Following public uproar, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said it had completed investigations into 22 of the 60 deaths reported during the protests. IPOA Chairman Issack Hassan stated that the agency is still pursuing 36 other cases. Two are already in court, while others have either been closed or are awaiting direction from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
IPOA also revealed that 233 cases of injuries were recorded during the demonstrations. However, the progress of some investigations has been slowed by a lack of cooperation from police officers and witnesses.
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