LSK, Amnesty urge DCI to release equipment seized from ‘Blood Parliament’ filmmakers

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Amnesty International have called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to release the equipment confiscated from four independent filmmakers arrested on suspicion of being behind the Blood Parliament documentary aired by the BBC last week.

The four, Markdenver Karibiu, Nicholas Wambugu, Christopher Wame and Brian Adagala, were arrested in Karen, Nairobi, on Friday last week before they were released the following day.

However, the DCI retained their electronic gadgets, including mobile phones and laptops.

LSK's lawyer Gloria Kimani, who was at the DCI alongside Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton, demanded that DCI Director Mohamed Amin explain why the items are held by his officers, yet nothing is under investigation.

The four filmmakers were at the DCI headquarters, but LSK and civil society organisations took them to safety after learning the DCI was planning to detain them again.

Kimani said the four had been arrested for publication of false information but were released from custody at Pangani Police Station on a free bond.

"But they did not state the said information, what it was about or where it was published and who it offended, or who is the complainant," she stated.

Kimani said the issue has kept the families of the four young men in uncertainty over their safety.

Whereas Irungu said the safety of the four men is not at risk because there is no specific offence they have been accused of, Karubiu's mother, Helen Muchira, said they are having sleepless nights and are in real fear over the security of the young men.

"We have anxiety, and our hearts are heavy. You are used to talking to your child every time, but now there is no freedom. As a mother, I have cried a lot. They have been denied their freedom," stated Muchira.

Irungu said the police have not clarified any of the offences they are investigating and, therefore, there is nothing to fear over the security of the four videographers, adding the DCI has no reason to continue holding the equipment confiscated from the four men.

Muchira asked the DCI to consider that the young men rely on the equipment held by the DCI to earn a living, and release them or clarify what they are doing with the items.

"They have opened a studio where they work from. Now, imagine these young men returning to rely on us because they are now jobless. Where will we get money for them? Release the items for them to continue earning their living," stated Muchira.

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• Amnesty urge DCI to release equipment seized from ‘Blood Parliament’ filmmakers