"SILENCING THE TRUTH? KENYA DETAINS BLOOD PARLIAMENT FILM MAKERS"

Nairobi, Kenya – May 3, 2025 — Kenyan police have arrested four filmmakers behind the explosive BBC documentary Blood Parliament, sparking national and international uproar over press freedom and accountability for protest-related killings.

The three named filmmakers—Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, and Mark Karubiu—were picked up early Saturday from their studio in Karen. The fourth remains unidentified. They are being held at Muthaiga and Pangani police stations, with no formal charges publicly disclosed.

The arrests follow the release of Blood Parliament, a 40-minute BBC Africa Eye documentary investigating the killing of peaceful protesters during the June 2024 anti-tax demonstrations, many of whom were part of the Gen Z movement. The film centers on Eric Shieni, a university student shot dead near Parliament. BBC claims to have identified his killer—a member of the armed forces—though the Kenya Defence Forces deny involvement.

Government attempts to suppress the documentary intensified this week after authorities blocked a scheduled public screening in Nairobi. BBC later confirmed the event was cancelled under government pressure, describing the move as “an effort to prevent the public from viewing the documentary and its contents.”

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, have condemned the arrests, calling them an attack on press freedom and a blatant attempt to intimidate journalists.

“The state is targeting truth-tellers instead of addressing the real issue—unlawful killings of unarmed protesters,” said a KHRC spokesperson.

Despite public pledges by the government to investigate the June 2024 deaths, no police or military personnel have been held accountable. The arrests have now cast a harsh spotlight on Kenya’s shrinking space for media and dissent.