Gov’t slams BBC’s 'Blood Parliament' documentary as 'biased, one-sided'

The government has come out to slam the BBC documentary dubbed 'Blood Parliament' saying it was biased and aimed at tainting its image.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura spoke during a press address on Tuesday, a day after the now viral documentary investigating Gen Z killings during the June 25, 2024 Parliament invasion, hit the airwaves.

Mwaura poked holes into the production process, arguing that the documentary was inclined to disparage the government for unknown reasons, as it did not give his office or even President William Ruto a right of reply or considering its perspective.

“Shida ni kuwa, hawakuchukua mtazamo wa serikali. Ata ukiangalia katika ile video, Rais hakupewa nafasi ya kuzungumza vizuri. Kwa hivyo, inaegemea upande mmoja na inaonekana kuna nadhalia fulani ambayo ilikuwa inajaribu kusisitiziwa na chombo kile cha habari,” he said.

“Lakini ni vizuri wajue kuwa tunakosoa na tunatoa rambirambi kwa jamaa, ndugu na marafiki ambao waliweza kutuaga kama wakenya wenzetu na hio si jambo ambaalo tunaweza kulisifia.”

Mwaura revealed that the government had since reached out to the British broadcaster seeking clarification on some of the claims in the documentary, which he intimated has resuscitated anger and emotions of the Gen Z protests.

He faulted the BBC for claiming to have sources in the government, saying that he was not aware of any individual other than himself mandated to speak on behalf of the State.

“Ni vizuri kwamba wakati mnaleta documentary kama zile, muweze kuangazia pande zote mbili. Tumewasiliana na BBC na kwa sababu la hilo jambo, ndio pia wajue pia sisi tunajua. Na wamesema walitumia watu wengine waseme kuhusu serikali lakini nikawaambia waseme ni watu wagani hao kwa sababu hawakuhusisha ofisi yangu ata kidogo,” he said.

In regard to the accusations levelled against some of the police officers in the documentary, Mwaura said the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had conducted an investigation into 90 death cases, where 22 had already been concluded.

“Hatua ambayo tumeichukua kama serikali, shirika la IPOA limeweza kuichunguza visa 90 vya watu ambao walisemekana wali adhirika na maandamano ya Gen Z lakini kuna kesi 22 zilizoweza kukamilishwa na wanaendelea na uchunguzi na upelelezi kwa wale ambao wameshukiwa,” he noted.

The BBC documentary analysed more than 5,000 images as it sought to revisit the bloody scenes which unfolded after thousands of protesters clashed with the police as they stormed the city and boldly marched into Parliament.

The British broadcaster later revealed that Kenyan authorities had blocked the screening of the documentary, which was set to screen at the Unseen Nairobi cinema on Monday evening, with a panel discussion.

Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma faced backlash after Kenyans railed at him for suggesting the ban of BBC from Kenya.