Kenyan Filmmakers Recount Ordeal Following Arrest Over BBC ‘Blood Parliament’ Documentary
Four young Kenyan filmmakers, recently at the center of controversy surrounding the BBC Africa Eye documentary Blood Parliament, have spoken publicly about their harrowing experience in the hands of law enforcement authorities. The filmmakers, who were reportedly involved in the production of the investigative piece, were arrested under unclear circumstances, sparking both public concern and discourse on press freedom and the treatment of creatives in the country.
The arrests occurred on the evening of Friday, April 26, 2024, at a private studio in the Karen area of Nairobi. The premises, used for editing and production work, was being utilized by the young creatives when individuals believed to be detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived at the scene.
In an exclusive interview with renowned investigative journalist John-Allan Namu, one of the detained filmmakers, Nick Wambugu, gave a detailed account of the events leading up to the arrest and the treatment they endured while in custody. According to Wambugu, the arrest was unexpected and abrupt, disrupting what had been a routine visit to a colleague’s studio for collaborative work.
“I had just passed by Denver’s office at around 3 p.m. We sat down to catch up and review footage from previous projects. It was just a normal day,” Wambugu recounted.
Approximately 30 to 45 minutes into their meeting, Wambugu and his colleague were startled by a knock at the door. Given the private nature of the studio and the absence of any scheduled visitors, the knock raised immediate suspicion. Despite their initial hesitation, Denver proceeded to answer the door, only to find three men who identified themselves as officers from the DCI.
“It was strange. We weren’t expecting anyone, and that knock felt uneasy. Denver opened the door and found three officers. They quickly introduced themselves as detectives from DCI headquarters,” Wambugu explained.
According to Wambugu, the officers informed the pair that they were under arrest and promptly demanded to see their licenses. The filmmakers, although confused by the accusation, complied and began engaging with the officers. However, what followed was far more than a simple verification of credentials.
“They told us we were under arrest and asked for our license. But it became clear almost immediately that this wasn’t just about licenses. It felt like a fishing expedition,” Wambugu noted.
The officers proceeded to conduct a search of the studio. Without presenting a warrant, they began confiscating various pieces of equipment essential to the filmmakers’ work. Laptops, hard drives, and mobile phones were taken, effectively paralyzing their ongoing and archived creative projects.
By approximately 5 a.m., the two young men were escorted from the premises and bundled into a police vehicle. Their destination was the DCI Headquarters on Kiambu Road, where they would spend the next several hours in detention.
“At DCI, we were separated and taken into different rooms for questioning,” Wambugu revealed. “They asked about the kind of work I do. I explained that I am a filmmaker and a content creator. I do documentaries, TV commercials, and various creative projects.”
However, the line of questioning soon shifted from professional interests to politically sensitive topics. Wambugu claims the officers began to probe whether he or his colleagues had ever been involved in activities considered critical of the government or against state interests.
“They asked whether we had ever created content that might be seen as opposing the government. It was clear the questions were not about licensing anymore,” he said.
Following this initial interrogation, the four filmmakers were split into pairs and transferred to two different police stations: Muthaiga and Pangani. Wambugu was taken to the latter, where he says he was informed of the official charge—false publication.
It was at this moment that the seriousness of the situation fully dawned on him. The charge of false publication is a grave accusation under Kenyan law and is often invoked in cases involving alleged misinformation or politically sensitive content.
Despite the pressure and confusion surrounding the arrest, the filmmakers maintain their innocence. They assert that they were merely fulfilling their professional obligations and had no malicious intent behind any of their work. Furthermore, the opaque manner in which they were arrested—without warrants, clear explanations, or immediate access to legal counsel—has raised questions about due process and the boundaries of creative freedom in Kenya.
Their story has since ignited significant public interest, particularly among Kenya’s media and creative communities. Many see this incident as a troubling precedent that could stifle artistic expression and journalistic inquiry. Human rights advocates and media freedom organizations have also voiced concern, urging the government to uphold constitutional protections for freedom of expression and to ensure that legal processes are transparent and just.
As investigations continue and public attention grows, the plight of these young filmmakers serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by creatives working in politically charged environments. Their experience also highlights the need for clearer legal frameworks that both protect national interests and safeguard the rights of artists, journalists, and content creators.
The future remains uncertain for the four, but their voices are beginning to echo far beyond the confines of their studio in Karen. Their ordeal has sparked a necessary conversation about creative liberty, governmental accountability, and the role of storytelling in shaping national discourse.
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Kenyan Filmmakers Recount Ordeal Following Arrest Over BBC ‘Blood Parliament’ Documentary
