NAIROBI, Kenya-Plans to screen a hard-hitting BBC documentary exposing the violent crackdown on Kenya’s June 25, 2024 protests have been abruptly cancelled — with organizers citing no reason for the sudden move.
The invite-only screening of the 35-minute documentary and panel discussion was scheduled for Monday, 6 pm, in Nairobi.
Those invited had been asked to carry their IDs, with a caution that the “invitation is not transferable” due to security reasons.
In a notice to invited guests on Monday afternoon, organizers expressed disappointment at the cancellation, saying they were “exploring alternative options” and would update guests if a solution was found.
The documentary, produced by BBC Africa Eye, uses forensic analysis of over 5,000 videos and images captured by protesters and journalists to uncover how Kenyan police and military forces opened fire on unarmed demonstrators outside Parliament during the anti-tax protests.
It provides damning evidence that protesters were shot while posing no threat, with some killed as they fled.
One particularly chilling moment captured on video shows a plain-clothes officer shouting “uaa!” — Swahili for “kill” — before gunfire erupts.
Investigators were able to track and identify several security personnel responsible for firing live rounds into the crowd, including a soldier linked to the fatal shooting of finance student Eric Shieni as he tried to escape.
The film also highlights the role of citizen journalists like Ademba Allans, who risked their lives to document the violence and help the injured.
Their mobile footage became crucial in reconstructing the day’s tragic events, revealing a pattern of deliberate and deadly force against peaceful protesters.
The abrupt cancellation of the planned private screening has fueled speculation about behind-the-scenes pressure to suppress the documentary’s exposure.
No official explanation has been given, raising questions about possible political sensitivities surrounding its revelations.
Following the June 25 protests — largely driven by Kenya’s Gen Z — at least 60 people were reported killed nationwide, according to human rights groups.
However, no police or military officers have been held accountable to date.
Although the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) was ordered to investigate, no public report has been released.
The BBC’s findings have renewed calls for justice from civil society leaders, lawyers, and victims’ families.
Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya, told the BBC that the shootings amounted to a clear intent to kill, not to disperse, protesters.
“The aim was to kill those protesters,” she said. “They could have had him arrested. But the fact that you shoot his head — it was clearly an intention to kill.”
As the documentary continues to gain international attention, pressure is mounting on Kenyan authorities to address the damning evidence and deliver justice for the victims.
The documentary, titled “Blood Parliament”, remains available on BBC YouTube channel, where it continues to draw a global audience.
