Outrage forces state to release 'Blood Parliament' filmmakers amid fears of more exposés

A concerted national outrage and pressure from human rights activists on Saturday forced the government to release four filmmakers who had spent the night in police cells in Nairobi.

The four Kenyan filmmakers were arrested due to their link to the BBC’s Blood Parliament documentary. But they were released after authorities learnt that activists planned to camp at the two polling stations where they were being held.

When The Eastleigh Voice visited Muthaiga Police Station shortly before their release, activist Odhiambo Ojiro had visited the detained filmmakers and had disclosed that his fellow lobbyists were on their way to offer their solidarity.

"We are planning to have the filmmakers released, but also to offer them solidarity because of the good work they are doing for the country," said Ojiro.

At Pangani Police Station, there were firm instructions to police manning the cells not to allow filming or photographing of two filmmakers who were held there.

The filmmakers revealed that officers from the DCI’s Investigations Unit confiscated their work equipment, alongside their cell phones.

Phone passwords

They were later ordered to give out passwords to their phones and other accounts before getting locked in cells.

"We were ordered to give out passwords to our phones so that they can check who we are in conversation with," said one of the filmmakers.

The Eastleigh Voice understands that the government is jittery that other films exposing atrocities committed by the state during the protests against President William Ruto's administration could be in the offing.

Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, MarkDenver Karubiu, and Chris Wamae were released from Pangani and Muthaiga police stations on free bond.

This was after their arrest by police during a raid at their Karen studios under dubious circumstances. During their arrest, police confiscated their equipment and computer hard drives. Reports at the time of their arrest indicated that the four were not charged, and their presence in police custody remained unclear.

However, fresh reports informed that the four were charged with false publication in relation to the BBC documentary and were made to give statements without legal representation.

Speaking to the press after their release, lawyer Ian Mutiso intimated the arrests were being conducted by senior figures at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

"When I spoke to the DCIO for Pangani, he gave me some very concerning information stating that this matter was not under his purview. He informed me that this was being conducted from DCI headquarters, and this is something I will follow up on,” said Mutiso.

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• Outrage forces state to release 'Blood Parliament' filmmakers amid fears of more exposés
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The documentary exposed the roles of the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces in some of the killings witnessed during the Gen Z-led protests of June 25, 2024.

In some of the clips shown, two members of the NPS and KDF were seen to be intentionally shooting at the peaceful protestors.

Following the arrest of the four filmmakers, Kenyans online expressed their displeasure and frustration, with many believing their involvement in the damning exposé was the sole reason behind their detention.