MPs' reaction to BBC documentary sparks fury among Kenyans amid calls for accountability, justice
Mandera North MP Major (Rtd) Bashir Abdullahi claimed the documentary was interfering with the reconciliation that has been going on in the country since the killings.
Members of Parliament reaction to the BBC Documentary titled Blood Parliament that revealed the identities of two policemen and a military officer alleged to be behind the killings that occurred outside parliament buildings on June 25, 2024 has again brought to the fore how politicians often push Kenyans to "move on" from past events that challenge the status quo on issues such as state excesses, their inefficiencies and hold on power.
At the top of the list is the constant call for accountability to families who lost their kin in the anti-government protests that occurred during the time leading to an estimated 60 deaths, according to data from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
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In his now viral, shocking remarks, Mandera North MP Major (Rtd) Bashir Abdullahi claimed the documentary was interfering with the reconciliation that has been going on in the country since the killings.
"A very sad day indeed, tragic and shameful. Tragic in the sense that we lost the lives of our fellow Kenyans, shameful in the sense that the democracy of our parliament was about to be infringed and nevertheless, it has come at this time, a time that we have really moved on. We spoke about that issue in this house, discussed it, sympathised, and mourned our fellow Kenyans who passed on during that day," the MP said in remarks that triggered public fury with Kenyans online accusing the parliamentarians of attempting to brush off the events of June 25 instead of seeking justice for the bereaved families.
"However, it has come at this time again when, as much as we agree that our fellow Kenyans lost their lives, unfortunately, we also moved on to ensure that we reconcile the country as we move on."
The comments alongside those of other legislators rekindle past injustices that are yet to be resolved in the country, the majority of which were passed through a formal process of investigation, whose outcomes remain unimplemented.
Amongst them is the police brutality meted out against civilians in the opposition protests against the high cost of living in 2023 that saw residents of areas like Mathare suffer the brunt of deaths, breathing problems from children who inhaled teargas.
"An average of 59 torture and torture-related violations occurred per month for the five months IMLU monitored the 22 demonstrations. The monitoring took place in all 47 counties. Documentation of the violations took place in 15 counties. Numerically, 32 per cent of the counties registered cases of violations, while 68 per cent registered no cases," the Missing Voices annual report released last year revealed.
The monitoring took place from January to September 2023. Most of the protests were organised by the opposition to protest the high cost of living, while others were related to several social issues and dissatisfaction over the lack of essential services such as water and electricity for prolonged periods.
No accountability
Subsequent briefings by human rights organisations have revealed little to no forms of accountability taken by the state over the police excesses of the time.
These violations have since been clouded by last year's Gen Z protests, killings and the subsequent incidents like the killing of five civilians in Narok on Monday that have now caught the attention of the state.
On Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police announced the transfer of senior officers in Ang'ata Barikoi as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) kicked off a probe on the incident.
Repeat incidents of police brutality have triggered numerous calls for reforms, with multiple reports' recommendations yet to be fulfilled to avoid disrupting the status quo that ensures continued use of the police as a political tool for suppression.
At the same time, past land injustices and historical marginalization remain among thorny issues that are yet to be solved in the country, every regime takes over power with promises to address them, but they end up advocating for reconciliation leaving the matters unattended until, an incident occurs and the state is again "woken up to consciousness".
The Covid-19 funds scandal, Goldenberg and Anglo leasing scandals add to the many injustices that have been swept under the carpet in the hope that "Kenyans will move on" from them.
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