NAIROBI, Kenya —A meticulous investigation by BBC Africa Eye has captured global attention, as the exposé Blood Parliament reveals chilling details about the police’s deadly response to anti-tax protests in Nairobi on June 25, 2024.
Within just 24 hours of its release, over 2.3 million viewers watched the documentary on YouTube, drawing renewed attention to the ongoing fight for justice for those killed during the protests.
The documentary, which relies on more than 5,000 images and videos captured by protesters and journalists, unequivocally shows that the victims were unarmed and posed no threat when they were shot dead by police officers.
The investigation focuses on the constitutional right to peaceful protest, enshrined in Kenya’s laws, which was brutally violated that fateful day.
The June 25 protest, largely organized by Kenya’s Gen Z activists via social media, began as a vibrant demonstration against the Finance Bill and the government’s tax proposals.
It started peacefully, with music, signs, and flags, but tensions flared as the government pressed on with the controversial bills aimed at raising $2.7 billion.
Despite successfully forcing MPs to scrap some of the tax proposals days earlier, demonstrators continued their fight.
By mid-morning, thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Nairobi, making their way towards Parliament Road.
The crowd grew to over 100,000 people. Initially, police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse the crowd, but by 2:20 PM, the protesters breached the barricades and advanced onto parliamentary grounds.
It was at this point that police opened fire, leading to the deaths of several individuals.
Citizen journalism and mobile footage have exposed chilling details about the events of June 25, 2024, when Kenyan security forces opened fire on peaceful anti-tax protesters outside parliament. ynews.digital/headline-1/how…
The BBC documentary Blood Parliament investigates these killings, focusing on security officers who are believed to have given orders to use lethal force.
One police officer, identified as Job Kaboi from Nairobi’s Central Police Station, is seen in the documentary mobilizing his colleagues to shoot at the protesters.
The documentary also implicates a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer in the killing of 27-year-old University of Nairobi student Eric Shieni, who was shot in the head while attempting to flee the violence outside Parliament.
The documentary has reignited calls for accountability, with many demanding that the officers responsible for these deaths be arrested and prosecuted.
The film has also prompted renewed questions about the lack of progress in the investigation of police misconduct during the protests.
Despite the public outcry, investigations into the deaths have not yet led to any substantial action.
In response, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has reported completing 22 investigations into the 60 deaths recorded during the protests.
IPOA is actively pursuing 36 other cases, with two already in court.
However, IPOA Chairman Issack Hassan acknowledged that police non-cooperation and reluctance from witnesses have hampered the progress of some investigations.
The screening of the documentary was scheduled to take place at the Unseen Nairobi cinema, accompanied by a panel discussion.
However, sources confirm that Kenyan authorities intervened to block the screening.
A BBC spokesperson expressed disappointment, confirming the cancellation and stating that audiences could still watch the film on BBC Africa’s YouTube channel.
“The screening of BBC Africa Eye’s Blood Parliament in Kenya was cancelled due to pressure from the authorities,” the BBC spokesperson said. “We are very disappointed not to have been able to share the documentary and panel discussion as planned.”
The documentary’s release has further fueled the debate on police brutality in Kenya, with many calling for immediate reforms and the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians during the protests.
Mystery as Screening of Shocking BBC Documentary on Kenya’s June 25 Protests Abruptly Cancelled ynews.digital/governance/228… via @yNews_digital
The screening’s cancellation has only intensified the call for justice, as the BBC’s exposé continues to spark conversation around the lack of accountability for the officers involved.
