Four filmmakers, including Nicholas Wambugu Gichuki, Brian Adagala, Mark Karubiu, and Christopher Wamae, were released after being arrested late on Friday night in connection with a controversial BBC documentary, Blood Parliament. The filmmakers, who were detained on charges of “false publication,” were released without charges but had their devices confiscated by the police. They were freed on a free bond, with no cash bail being demanded, according to their lawyers.
The legal team, which included representatives from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and media advocacy organizations like Vocal Africa, worked quickly to ensure that no cash bail was necessary for the filmmakers’ release. Their efforts focused on securing the filmmakers’ rights and ensuring that they were not unjustly detained. One of the lawyers, Ian Mutiso, expressed appreciation for the support from these organizations and described how he followed up on the arrest at Pangani Police Station. He contacted various officers, including the regional commander, to get clarity on the situation.
Mutiso mentioned that the arrest was not a local police matter but had been initiated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters. He noted that he would continue to liaise with the DCI to clarify the charges and the direction of their investigation. While the police have not publicly disclosed the exact reason for the filmmakers’ arrest, sources suggest that it is linked to a documentary by the BBC’s Africa Eye, which raised serious allegations about the use of force by Kenyan security forces during protests.
The filmmakers were initially arrested at their studio in Karen, Nairobi, and were later moved to Muthaiga and Pangani police stations. Activist Boniface Mwangi reported that the police had seized several pieces of equipment, including hard drives, during the raid at the filmmakers’ office. This further fueled suspicions that the arrest was tied to their work on the documentary, which has become the subject of intense scrutiny.
The documentary, Blood Parliament, aired recently and depicts the violent crackdown on anti-tax protesters in Kenya, with footage alleging that security forces used live ammunition during the June 2024 protests outside Parliament. The exposé has caused public outrage, with many criticizing the use of excessive force by security personnel. Some of the footage included in the documentary also shows alleged extrajudicial killings by the authorities, which have raised concerns both locally and internationally.
In the wake of the film’s release, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mulele Ingonga, ordered the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the claims made in the documentary. The DPP emphasized that the documentary raised significant concerns about potential misconduct by Kenyan security forces, and called for a transparent investigation into the events surrounding the protests. The DPP also highlighted the possibility that military personnel might have been involved in the violence, which could require a broader inquiry beyond the remit of IPOA.
The public and legal experts have called for an impartial and thorough investigation, urging that the inquiry should not be influenced by political considerations. The matter has become a touchstone for discussions on democratic values, the right to protest, and the accountability of security forces. As the investigation moves forward, many are closely watching to see whether those responsible for the alleged abuses will be held accountable. The case also raises important questions about the role of filmmakers and the media in exposing abuses of power, and whether such exposés can be freely produced without fear of reprisal.
