KDF Respond to BBC Documentary Allegations, Deny Involvement in Protester Killings
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have strongly denied allegations linking their personnel to the fatal shootings of protestors during demonstrations held in June 2024.
The denials come in response to claims made in a BBC Africa Eye documentary titled Blood Parliament in Kenya, which was scheduled for a private screening in Nairobi but was cancelled after pressure from authorities.
KDF Spokesperson Paul Njuguna, in a communication to the Nation, emphasized that no formal investigations had implicated KDF members. “IPOA has so far not forwarded any enquiries, information, or request to investigate any KDF personnel that were involved in the operations in support of the National Police Service during the period, nor have they published the report,” Mr. Njuguna stated.
He further assured the public of KDF’s commitment to lawful operations, adding that the armed forces continue to act strictly within the boundaries set by the Constitution and other applicable authorizations.
The BBC documentary, however, paints a troubling picture. It highlights several incidents where unarmed protestors were allegedly shot by security officers. A key case involves Eric Shieni, a Finance student at the University of Nairobi, who was fatally shot from behind as he exited the Parliament grounds. According to the BBC, Shieni was unarmed at the time.
Investigative journalists from BBC Africa Eye analyzed more than 150 images taken before and after Shieni’s death. They claim to have identified the soldier responsible for firing the fatal shot to the back of his head. Although the officer’s identity remains officially undisclosed, images purportedly showing him have circulated widely on social media platforms.
Nevertheless, the KDF maintains that none of its officers have been formally accused or investigated. Mr. Njuguna reiterated, “The Kenya Defence Forces were deployed to support the National Police Service under Gazette Notice No. 7868 of 2024, acting within the legal framework of Article 241(3)(b) of the Constitution.”
The deployment itself was unusual. Typically, KDF’s mandate is to defend Kenya’s borders. Their involvement in domestic law enforcement was a rare measure authorized by then-Defence Minister Aden Duale, citing the emergency created by violent protests over a controversial finance bill.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and human rights advocates have urged that the allegations be thoroughly investigated. Lawyer Hosea Manwa, a member of the LSK, insisted, “It is time the details in the exposé are investigated. In addition, if at all anyone is found guilty, then action should be taken against them.”
The scale of the protests and the resulting crackdown shocked the nation. Then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, now the Deputy President, reported that 42 individuals died, 132 went missing, and 1,208 were arrested during the unrest.
Adding to the controversy, BBC Africa Eye reported that after analyzing more than 5,000 images, they found that many of those killed were unarmed and did not present any immediate threat to security forces.
Despite these findings, the KDF remains firm in rejecting the accusations. They stress that no official evidence or communication from oversight bodies has implicated their officers in the shootings.
The documentary’s private screening in Nairobi was cancelled at the last minute, an action the BBC attributed to governmental pressure. “A screening of BBC Africa Eye’s Blood Parliament in Kenya was cancelled due to pressure from the authorities. 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.
The episode has fueled calls for accountability and justice, with increasing demands for a full and independent investigation into the conduct of all security agencies during the protests. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether Kenyan authorities will allow a transparent inquiry into the tragic events of June 2024.
In Other News: BBC Cancels ‘Blood Parliament’ Documentary After Pushback From Kenyan Authorities
KDF Respond to BBC Documentary Allegations, Deny Involvement in Protester Killings
