MP Kaluma faces backlash for suggesting ban of BBC over #BloodParliament documentary

Kaluma suggested the ban of the British broadcaster after its #BloodParliament documentary that investigated killings during the June 25, 2024 parliament invasion.

Kaluma, no stranger to controversial opinions on hot topics, was among a handful of prominent Kenyans who criticised the BBC for their damning expose, where the international broadcaster identified members of Kenya's security forces who shot dead anti-tax protesters at the country's Parliament premise.

Taking to his official X account, Kaluma slammed the BBC for its "reckless" reporting, stating that the #BloodParliament piece was 'inciteful' and 'twisted', even going as far as outrightly calling for the revocation of the BBC media licence in Kenya.

"BAN @BBCAfrica IN KENYA. The role played by the media in any democracy is too important to be discharged irresponsibly. The media can build greater democracy or destroy an otherwise stable State. Lest we forget, Rwanda Genocide would have not occured were it not for reckless media," he wrote. 

He added, ""Blood Parliament" documentary by @BBCAfrica is twisted, partial, reckless and intended to incite chaos in Kenya. The relevant agencies of the Government of Kenya must act fast to withdraw @BBCAfrica licence in Kenya."

Kaluma's sentiments would, expectedly, be met with much backlash and blowback from Kenyans who censured the MP for his outrageous comments, many condemning him for his apparent efforts to muzzle the press and curtail media freedom.

The attacks, which came flying from all across X, were so intense that the legislator would eventually delete the offensive tweet just hours after posting it.

As the tweet remained up, several influential voices, as well as regular X users, sustained the attacks, the heat becoming a little too much for the MP to bear.

Lawyer Willis Otieno wrote: "Opondo Kaluma, your tantrum against the BBC only exposes the shallow thinking that has crippled leadership in this country. Instead of engaging with evidence, you resort to medieval censorship tactics like a petty provincial chief." 

"A mind truly committed to justice seeks accountability, not bans. If facts terrify you this much, perhaps public office was always too heavy a burden for your intellect."

X user James Chege wrote, "Opondo Kaluma is now saying that BBC should be banned. He thinks that BBC is like the githeri media they compromise anytime they want. They killed innocent people and we will not stop reminding them. That they cannot kill us and lead us. Kenya ni home and home must be respected!"

On her part Esther Njeri said, "@ParliamentKE @Senate_KE stop wasting your time. You can’t ban the truth. We are digitally ahead with recordings. We are ahead of the game ,exposing it globally. You cannot censor history. You cannot bury justice!"

X user Kipkalya Elias also reacted, saying, "Instead of working with BBC to get these rogue idiots, they want the BBC banned. They will tell you everyday how they want the officers responsible to be charged, but when there's progress, they want the exposer killed. Shame!"

Despite deleting his earlier tweet, which caused him trouble in the first place, on Tuesday morning, Kaluma doubled down on his earlier statements, comparing the Kenyan situation to the January 6 2021 Capitol Hill attack in the United States, reiterating that the BBC should be 'sanctioned'.

He wrote: "The Capitol Hill, the seat of Parliament in the United States was breached; and, @BBCWorld didn't publish a documentary "Blood Parliament". It is unfortunate @BBCAfrica has not been sanctioned, over 24 hours after publishing that distorted documentary "Blood Parliament", which by its title, timing and twisted content, is clearly intended to distabilise Kenya. We shouldn't allow reckless journalists to use foreign media to destabilise Kenya. Sanction @BBCAfrica."

Unable to comprehend his thinking, one X user wondered, "These guys used to be the voice of reason until they met Ruto... What is it with Ruto that when smart people join him they become useless? Did the US police and Army shoot down protesters at Capital Hill? Also, weren't most of those criminals charged and jailed? Who has been found culpable in Kenya? Nobody!"

The #BloodParliament controversy continues to fester even as Kenyan authorities blocked the screening of the BBC documentary at the Unseen Nairobi cinema on Monday evening.

"We are very disappointed not to have been able to share the documentary and panel discussion as planned. In the meantime, audiences can watch the film on BBC Africa’s YouTube channel," a BBC spokesperson said.