Four Kenyan filmmakers were arrested on Friday evening in Nairobi, allegedly linked to the controversial BBC’s Blood Parliament documentary, which exposed police brutality during the June 25, 2024 protests inside Parliament.
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi confirmed that the four—Nicholas Wambugu, Brian Adagala, MarkDenver Karubiu, and Chris Wamae—were taken from their Karen Village office by police officers.
“One of them managed to make a call and said they were being split into two groups—one headed to Pangani Police Station and the other to Muthaiga,” Mwangi stated. “They weren’t told the reason for their arrest and didn’t participate in the documentary’s production.”
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Detention and Legal Support
Lawyer Ian Mutiso has since located the arrested filmmakers—Wambugu and Adagala were traced to Pangani Police Station, while Karubiu and Wamae were taken to Muthaiga Police Station.
Equipment and hard drives were also reportedly confiscated during the raid, sparking concern over press freedom and creative rights in Kenya.
About the Blood Parliament Documentary
Blood Parliament is a BBC investigation that used advanced 3D video analysis to identify police officers accused of shooting unarmed protesters inside Parliament. The documentary has since gone viral, drawing international attention and calls for justice.
Read also:DPP Orders Probe Into BBC Exposé on Extrajudicial Killings During Gen Z Protests
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) responded to the film, stating that some of the incidents were already under investigation, and other related cases were before court.
Public and Political Reaction
The arrests have triggered outcry from civil rights groups and raised questions about efforts to intimidate content creators. Mwangi said the arrests were “unwarranted and targeted at silencing dissent.”
Many Kenyans have taken to social media to demand the release of the filmmakers and condemn the infringement on creative expression.
What Happens Next?
It remains unclear whether formal charges will be brought against the four filmmakers. Legal teams are preparing to challenge the arrest in court, citing unlawful detention and lack of evidence.
This incident adds to the ongoing debate around media freedom, police accountability, and the power of independent storytelling in Kenya.
Poster of the arrested filmmakers. Courtesy: Boniface Mwangi
