The public outrage stems from BBC Africa Eye's exposé, which revealed the involvement of security forces in the shooting of unarmed protesters during a demonstration that took place on June 25, 2024. As over 100,000 demonstrators flooded Nairobi's streets against a controversial finance bill intended to raise significant government revenue, a violent crackdown ensued, resulting in multiple deaths.
Leading organizations such as Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) stated that the officers identified in the documentary must be held accountable. However, government officials, including spokesman Isaac Mwaura, accused the BBC of presenting a biased view and failing to seek an official government response to the events.
While the Kenyan police claim that an independent oversight authority is responsible for investigating their actions, the government's admission regarding the protesters' grievances over the finance bill contradicts its stance against perceived anarchy.
The BBC's documentary, "Blood Parliament," utilized multimedia resources to confirm that law enforcement utilized lethal force against demonstrators, killing three and contributing to a broader death toll of 65, according to Amnesty International. The government disputes these figures, citing a total of 42 deaths.
Following pressure from authorities, the BBC canceled a scheduled screening of the documentary in Nairobi. In response, the network has made the film available for viewing on its YouTube channel.
Human rights organizations have called on the police and military to publicly outline steps they will take regarding the findings of the BBC report. They also urged citizens to support a petition for a public inquiry into these violent events, labeled the #OccupyParliament protests.
Critics are holding President William Ruto accountable for the violence that unfolded, while some government officials warned that the documentary could incite further unrest. Notably, legislative figures have taken positions both in support of and against the documentary, emphasizing the need for diverse narratives in the pursuit of justice.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has reported ongoing investigations into 60 deaths, with a significant number involving gunshot wounds. Despite these developments, authorities maintain that no officers have yet faced charges over the incidents.
In light of these events, Kenyans remain vocal online, demanding greater accountability from security forces regarding their treatment of peaceful demonstrators.
Leading organizations such as Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) stated that the officers identified in the documentary must be held accountable. However, government officials, including spokesman Isaac Mwaura, accused the BBC of presenting a biased view and failing to seek an official government response to the events.
While the Kenyan police claim that an independent oversight authority is responsible for investigating their actions, the government's admission regarding the protesters' grievances over the finance bill contradicts its stance against perceived anarchy.
The BBC's documentary, "Blood Parliament," utilized multimedia resources to confirm that law enforcement utilized lethal force against demonstrators, killing three and contributing to a broader death toll of 65, according to Amnesty International. The government disputes these figures, citing a total of 42 deaths.
Following pressure from authorities, the BBC canceled a scheduled screening of the documentary in Nairobi. In response, the network has made the film available for viewing on its YouTube channel.
Human rights organizations have called on the police and military to publicly outline steps they will take regarding the findings of the BBC report. They also urged citizens to support a petition for a public inquiry into these violent events, labeled the #OccupyParliament protests.
Critics are holding President William Ruto accountable for the violence that unfolded, while some government officials warned that the documentary could incite further unrest. Notably, legislative figures have taken positions both in support of and against the documentary, emphasizing the need for diverse narratives in the pursuit of justice.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has reported ongoing investigations into 60 deaths, with a significant number involving gunshot wounds. Despite these developments, authorities maintain that no officers have yet faced charges over the incidents.
In light of these events, Kenyans remain vocal online, demanding greater accountability from security forces regarding their treatment of peaceful demonstrators.
