MP Demands BBC Ban Following Documentary on Protest Deaths

A prominent ODM parliamentarian has called for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to be banned from operating in Kenya following the release of a documentary that alleges security forces killed protesters during last year’s Finance Bill demonstrations.

Homa Bay Town MP George Kaluma issued a strong statement on social media demanding that “relevant agencies of the Government of Kenya must act fast to withdraw BBC licence in Kenya” after the BBC released a 37-minute investigative documentary titled “Blood Parliament” on Monday.

Documentary Claims and Allegations

The documentary, published on YouTube on April 28, uses 3D modeling, forensic video analysis, and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct the events of June 25, 2024, when demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024 turned deadly.

According to the BBC investigation, security forces opened fire on protesters minutes after Parliament passed the controversial bill by a vote of 195 to 106.

The documentary specifically alleges that David Chege, 39, and Ericsson Mutisya, 25, were shot by a police officer who “opened fire indiscriminately” on Parliament Road.

These protests marked a significant moment in Kenya’s recent history as demonstrators breached the Parliament complex itself—the first such occurrence since Kenya’s independence.

MP’s Accusations of Media Irresponsibility

In his statement, MP Kaluma characterized the BBC documentary as “twisted, partial, reckless and intended to incite chaos in Kenya.”

He drew a controversial parallel to the role of media in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, suggesting that irresponsible journalism could threaten Kenya’s stability.

“The role played by the media in any democracy is too important to be discharged irresponsibly,” Kaluma stated. “The media can build greater democracy or destroy an otherwise stable State.”

Media rights advocates have expressed alarm at the call for a ban, noting that press freedom is protected under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

The Constitution guarantees “freedom and independence of electronic, print and all other types of media.”

“Calling for a media ban rather than addressing the substance of the allegations raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability,” said Jeff Mwiti on X.

As of publication time, neither the Kenya Defence Forces nor the National Police Service have issued formal responses to the specific allegations in the documentary.

Context of the Finance Bill Protests

The June 2024 protests erupted in response to the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed new taxes that many Kenyans, particularly from younger generations, found burdensome amid existing economic challenges.

Official government figures at the time acknowledged 39 deaths nationwide during the protests, though human rights organizations claimed the actual death toll was higher.

The government had previously attributed most deaths to “criminal elements” within the protest movement.